If we use technology to do the good things, to give us accurate data, to make more accurate assessments, we can use that to improve care, but we must be reminded not to let it interrupt the human connection. Patients are seeing more alternative therapies being offered by nurses. However, nurses still need to research and learn what kind of safeguards are needed. Patients in the hospital now have much better pain management than they did 25 years ago, thanks to research by nurses and other health professionals. Sherwood, Jeannette Adams McNeill, Ph.D., and Dean Patricia L. Starck, D.S.N. , have been active in pain management research.
Undertreated pain is also a comfort and compassion issue and affects patient satisfaction.
Studies by Starck and others have shown that about half of people who have pain are undertreated, and the odds are even worse for some minority groups. Starck has developed and published a pain management report card for hospital patients that is being translated into Spanish. The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center. Permission to reprint is available upon request.