Pain Assessment

Measure Purpose: To assess and manage pain

The numerator: Patient pain assessment* documented through discussion with the patient or caregiver and may include the use of a standardized tool(s) or by healthcare provider observation at least once during the measurement period.

*Pain assessment is a multidimensional clinical assessment of pain using a standardized tool may include characteristics of pain; such as: location, intensity, description, and onset/duration.

is divided by

The denominator: All patients with a neurologic condition

Exclusions:

• Severe mental and/or physical incapacity where the person is unable to express himself/herself in a manner understood by others. For example, cases where pain cannot be accurately assessed through use of a nationally recognized standardized pain assessment tool
• Patient and/or caregiver refuse to participate

Key Phrases

Examples of key phrases you might use to meet the measure:

• Pain assessed
• Pain assessed with [X] tool
• Pain assessed by observation
• Discussion with patient/caregiver about pain

Measure Calculation Example

Dr. Russo saw 100 patients with a neurologic condition between January 1 and December 31. This is the denominator. Five patients were unable to participate, and 5 patients refused this service. These patients are removed from the denominator.

Of the remaining 90 patients, 45 were assessed for pain through discussed or standardized tools. This is the numerator.

Quality of care =45/(100-10). Dr. Russo has a score of 50% for this measure.