March 17, 2000
It is time again for the MGH to have its "pulse" taken. On March 22, the annual MGH Pain Pulse simultaneously will measure the pain level of all inpatients — and some outpatients — in the Cancer Center and in the Walk-in Unit on WACC 1. During the survey, clinical staff will ask patients questions about the pain they are feeling and how that pain has affected them during the past 24 hours. Patients will rate their pain level on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).
Results from last year's Pain Pulse indicated that 25 percent of
hospitalized patients at the MGH had pain levels of 5 or above. Literature states that any
rating of 5 or above indicates a significant amount of pain and need for additional
interventions. Results from this year's MGH Pain Pulse will be compared with last year's
data and used to track future progress and support educational programs for staff. Pain
Pulse results will be reviewed with the Partners' medical chiefs and other MGH caregivers.
The MGH Pain Pulse is part of The MGH Cares About Pain Relief Initiative, a collaboration between the MGH Palliative Care Service, the MGH Pain Service, the Department of Radiology and Patient Care Services. For more information about the MGH Pain Pulse, call David Borsook, MD, PhD, of MGH Radiology and co-director of the MGH Cares About Pain Relief Initiative, at 6-1744; Annabel Edwards, RN, MSN, of the MGH Pain Service, at 4-1203; or Heather Young, RN, MSN, project manager for the MGH Cares About Pain Relief Initiative, at 4-9193.