Pain Assessment in INTensive care (PAINT): an observational study of physician‐documented pain assessment in 45 intensive care units in the United Kingdom

• DOI: 10.1111/anae.13786
• Publication Date: 2017-02-20T04:52:39Z
• Authors: H. I. Kemp; C. Bantel; F. Gordon; S. J. Brett; ; ; H. C. Laycock
• Keywords: Pain Assessment

Pain is a common and distressing symptom experienced by intensive care patients. Assessing pain in this environment challenging, published guidelines have been inconsistently implemented. The Assessment INTensive (PAINT) study aimed to evaluate the frequency type of physician assessments with respect guidelines. This observational service evaluation considered all analgesia-related entries patients' records over 24-h period, 45 adult units (ICUs) London South-East England. Data were collected from 750 patients, reflecting practice 362 physicians. Nearly two-thirds patients (n = 475, 64.5%, 95%CI 60.9-67.8%) received no physician-documented assessment during period. Just under one-third 215, 28.6%, 25.5-32.0%) nursing-documented assessment, one-fifth 159, 21.2%, 19.2-23.4)% neither doctor nor nursing assessment. Two ICUs used validated behavioural tools. likelihood receiving was affected following factors: number performed; whether patient admitted as surgical patient; presence tracheal tube or tracheostomy; length stay ICU. Physician-documented majority participating infrequent did not utilise recommended Further research identify factors influencing behaviour ICU, such human cultural attitudes, urgently needed.