Digital Transformation in Acute Pain Assessments: A Leap Towards Quality, Safety, and Efficiency

Francis June 13, 2023

Pain, a predominant reason for seeking healthcare and a leading cause of disability globally, requires meticulous and accurate assessments. These assessments, integral to evidence-based care and management, can often vary significantly between care providers in both documentation and content. In addition, the administrative burden associated with pain assessment can be substantial. Recognising these challenges, a recent study focused on the digital transformation of acute pain assessments.

The Study

Published in the British Journal of Nursing, the research study led by Roberts et al. (2022) aimed to evaluate the impact and significance of a new, structured, digitised pain assessment form from the perspectives of quality, safety, and efficiency.

The study method involved examining samples of pain assessments at three consecutive stages:

  1. Utilisation of the pre-existing form
  2. Introduction of the new structured form
  3. Reversion to the original form after the structured form was taken away.

Each assessment was scored against 18 clinically defined pain-related characteristics and factors by two clinical analysts. Additionally, the time needed to extract and interpret the assessments was recorded.

The Findings: A Step Towards Digital Transformation

The study results revealed a significant improvement in data quality when using the new structured form compared to the pre-existing template. Notably, the capture of five safety-related variables saw an increase. Moreover, the new form reduced the time needed to extract and interpret data, thereby boosting efficiency.

The Conclusion: Advantages of Structured Digital Forms

In conclusion, the implementation of intelligently structured forms for documenting pain assessments appears to be highly effective. By harnessing digital transformation, healthcare providers can significantly enhance the quality, safety, and efficiency of pain assessments.

These findings underscore the profound benefits of digital transformation in healthcare settings. The study could potentially stimulate further research on digitising other aspects of healthcare records, leading to streamlined processes, improved patient care, and better outcomes.

The journey towards improved healthcare delivery, particularly in pain management, could significantly benefit from embracing digital technology and structured data collection tools. This study provides a compelling example of how leveraging technology can result in more efficient and effective healthcare processes.

Reference: Roberts, L., Lanes, S., Kyte, J., Grady, J., Holdship, J., Carey, C., Cooney, K., & Ramessur, S. (2022). Acute pain assessments and records: a pilot study of digital transformation. British Journal of Nursing, 31(10), 541. DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2022.31.10.541

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Francis
Francis is an accredited clinical coding educator with over a decade of clinical coding experience in the UK. Passionate about the transformative power of e-learning, Francis blends this expertise with an innovative approach to education as a TAP Learning Practitioner. The mission is not just to educate but to inspire, fostering a community of lifelong learners in the dynamic world of clinical coding. With a commitment to improving the industry through education, Francis’s work is marked by an engaging, interactive, and inclusive approach, making every day an opportunity to learn, grow, and redefine what’s possible.