Quality improvement guidelines for the treatment of acute pain and cancer pain

Article Abstract:

Quality improvement (QI) guidelines may help health care professionals provide better pain relief to their patients. Several studies have documented that many patients suffer from unrelieved pain. This may occur because physicians are uneducated about proper analgesic use or are concerned about opioid addiction. The American Pain Society has published QI guidelines to help standardize pain treatment. Patients' reports of pain should be included in their chart. Each hospital unit should identify some outcome to be improved, such as reducing the time patients need to wait for medication. The units should evaluate a random sample of patients to make sure these goals are reached. A QI committee could assess the progress in implementing the guidelines. Several researchers have reported on the effectiveness of the society's guidelines.

Standards, American Pain Society

---

Effect of magnetic vs sham-magnetic insoles on plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial

Article Abstract:

Magnets in shoe insoles may not be effective in treating heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis, according to a study of 101 people. Half used a regular shoe insole and the other half used a similar insole with a magnet embedded in the insole. Both groups reported a substantial improvement in their symptoms, with the non-magnetic insole being just as effective as the magnetic insole.

Magnets, Plantar fasciitis

---

Pain management

Article Abstract:

The November 12, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association ()JAMA) is devoted to pain and its treatment. Articles include a history of painkillers, pain management in children, COX-2 inhibitors in patients who have knee replacement surgery, morphine infusions in premature babies, cancer pain, postoperative epidural analgesia, and arthritis pain.

Editorial

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Dentists' attitudes toward the treatment of HIV-positive patients. Managing the care of patients infected with bloodborne diseases
• Abstracts: Active enforcement of cigarette control laws in the prevention of cigarette sales to minors

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.