BEDSIDE CHARTING OF PAIN LEVELS IN HOSPITALIZED-PATIENTS WITH CANCER - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Despite advances in the technology of cancer pain assessment and contr ol, cancer pain often remains undertreated even in hospital settings. To determine whether a graphical display of cancer patients' pain leve ls might improve their treatment, the investigators conducted a random ized controlled trial. Patients assigned to the intervention group (N = 40) had periodic pain assessments by study staff who graphically rec orded their reported pain-intensity levels on bedside wall charts. Con trol group patients (N = 38) had periodic pain assessments by study st aff but did not have this information displayed. The resulted failed t o show a significant beneficial effect of the intervention on pain con trol, sleep, cancer-related symptoms, or analgesic dosing, but confide nce intervals were broad. More research is needed to improve the quali ty of care for inpatients with cancer-related pain.