RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pain is one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients in acute care hospitals and acutely ill patients experience both acute and chronic pain. Unrelieved pain can have a profound negative impact on individuals' functional status, well-being, quality of life, and satisfaction with care. For providers, managing pain can be challenging. While the numeric rating scale is widely accepted and used, it measures only pain intensity. CAPA® pain assessment offers an alternative approach in which providers have a conversation with patients about pain and how it impacts five key areas. AIMS: The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate provider and patient satisfaction with the CAPA® measure as compared to a numeric rating scale when evaluating patients' experience with pain. DESIGN: A mixed methods qualitative design was employed. SETTING: This study was conducted at a 247-bed community teaching hospital in Providence, RI. PARTICIPANTS: The target sample included patients admitted to the study units and providers who delivered care to patients on the study units and used the numeric rating scale and the CAPA® method of assessment. METHODS: In focus groups, nurses and physicians were asked about satisfaction with evaluating patients' pain with the numeric rating scale as compared to CAPA®. During a one-to-one interview, patients were asked to describe their impressions of the two assessment measures. RESULTS: Nurses, physicians, and patients were satisfied that CAPA® effectively evaluated pain and provided more information about pain than the numeric rating scale. CONCLUSIONS: CAPA® is recommended as a supporting assessment to evaluate patients' pain experience in acute care.
