Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2014
Multicenter StudyHospices' use of electronic medical records for quality assessment and performance improvement programs.
Electronic medical records (EMRs) are increasingly viewed as essential tools for quality assurance and improvement in many care settings, but little is known about the use of EMRs by hospices in their quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) programs. ⋯ Most participating hospices use EMRs for retrieving items needed for QI calculations. EMR-based QIs address various quality domains and themes. Our findings present opportunities for potential future reporting of EMR-based quality data.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2014
Multicenter Study Controlled Clinical TrialChanges in quality of care and quality of life of outpatients with advanced cancer after a regional palliative care intervention program.
A recent mixed-methods study to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive regional palliative care program, the Japan Outreach Palliative Care Trial of the Integrated Model study, achieved broad positive outcomes at a regional level. This is a secondary analysis of patient outcomes. ⋯ Although average changes in patient-reported outcomes were relatively small in the total sample of patients, the intervention seemed to provide tangible benefits for the patients with poor general conditions. A future regional intervention trial should include patient outcomes in those with a poor general condition to evaluate the net effects of the program.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2014
Multicenter StudyCross-sectional pilot study to monitor the availability, dispensed prices, and affordability of opioids around the globe.
Opioids are essential medicines. The World Health Organization and Health Action International monitor the price of essential medicines. However, their surveys do not include opioids, and there is no information on their affordability. ⋯ Patients in LMIC and LIC have limited access to opioids, and there are subsidies in place for more expensive medications and formulations in all GNI levels, but not for morphine oral solid IR. Additional research is necessary to identify the reasons behind these findings.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2014
Multicenter StudySubgroups of cancer patients with unique pain and fatigue experiences during chemotherapy.
Some cancer patients experience pain and fatigue, whereas others experience only one of the two symptoms. Yet, it is not clear who experiences these unique patterns and why. ⋯ This study confirmed the existence of a unique symptom experience of pain and fatigue. This pattern should be acknowledged for symptom assessment and management.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2014
Multicenter Study Controlled Clinical TrialImpact of a clinical pharmacist-led guidance team on cancer pain therapy in China: a prospective multicenter cohort study.
Cancer treatment capacity in China is severely limited relative to the enormous size of the population; and many aspects of treatment, such as opioid protocols for pain control, are not standardized. To improve the quality of drug treatment, clinical pharmacists are taking a more active role in patient care. ⋯ The CPGTs significantly improved standardization, efficiency, and efficacy of cancer pain therapy in China. In a country where clinical pharmacy is still developing, this is a valuable service model that may enhance cancer treatment capacity and efficacy while promoting recognition of the clinical pharmacy profession.