• Cynthia Smith Idell, Marcia Grant, and Christina Kirk.
• City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA. cidell@coh.org
• Oncol Nurs Forum. 2007 May 1;34(3):661-71.

Purpose/ObjectivesTo improve nursing pain reassessment practices using a research utilization model and advanced practice nurses (APNs).DesignA pre- and postintervention one-group design.SettingA cancer hospital located in the western United States.Sample42 oncology RNs from the inpatient staff of medical or surgical oncology units working at least 24 hours per week.MethodsNational Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines were adopted. Interventions included one-on-one feedback regarding reassessment practices and nursing pain rounds. Instruments used were Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP), Pain Reassessment Data Tool, and Pain Competency Evaluation (PCE).Main Research VariablesIndependent variables were pain rounds and one-on-one feedback. Dependent variables were PCE scores, percentage of pain reassessment documentation, and NKASRP test scores.FindingsChanging staff pain practices requires more than education. Barriers may be overcome through careful planning, using a systematic change process such as a research utilization approach. NKASRP and PCE scores and a percentage of reassessment documentation reached statistically significant increases postintervention.ConclusionsAdapting research recommendations allowed staff to create unit-specific solutions, evaluate practice changes, establish research partnerships, and use research in bedside care. Staff increased their proficiency in pain reassessment practices after the intervention.Implications For NursingResearch utilization models bring about desired practice changes under APN leadership. Aligning pain reassessment practices with clinical pain guideline recommendations promotes improved pain management through better reassessment documentation.

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