Knowledge Bank

Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve nurse knowledge and attitude/communication of pain management after receiving opioid stewardship pain management practices education and examine effect on patient satisfaction scores related to communication. Method: The quality improvement project was conducted in a medical -surgical care unit at a Northern California hospital. Using the knowledge to action (KTA) process conceptual framework to facilitate research into practice, EBP pain management education, teach-back and shared decision-making tools were developed and implemented. The pain management class utilized self-directed pre-work materials employing QR codes compiled from hospital resources, followed up with a virtual class for application of concepts through discussion and case studies. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention on nurse knowledge and attitudes survey regarding pain (KASRP) was performed. The pilot unit's Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores, specifically nurse communication and medication scores were compared. Results: HCAHPS scores were compared between Jan-March 2020 to Jan-March 2021. There was an 5.15% average improvement in the domain of communication with your nurse comparing the pre and post intervention. KASRP comparison showed no significant changes in knowledge and attitude at pre and post intervention. Conclusions: Integration of pain management education using electronic format was feasible and effective for improving reportable indicators of communication with your nurse. Sustainment of the project will be enhanced through incorporation of the pain management continuing education into new staff orientation, through content delivered in the general nursing session, LMS module, and unit based clinical orientation.