Getting ready for JCAHO--just meeting the standards or really improving pain management

Abstract

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' revised standards include new standards regarding pain assessment and management. These standards need to be incorporated into patterns of daily practice in healthcare institutions. Documentation systems, policies and procedures, standards of practice, staff education, and quality-improvement programs will need to reflect integration of these standards. Using evidence based consensus statements, guidelines, and other resources on pain management along with a step-wise implementation process will not only enhance success for incorporating the revised standards but also will promote achievement of another goal-optimal assessment and management of pain experienced by other patients with cancer.