Pain management in nursing care in outpatient older adults in need of care

Background: International data report a prevalence rate for chronic pain of up to 50% in community dwelling older adults (> 65 years). A national study reported a prevalence rate of 68,5% among outpatient adults (>= 18 years). Nursing care has an important meaning in pain management. However, previous research on the quality of pain management in nursing care is insufficient. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness of pain management in nursing care in our target group. Method: The cross-sectional study is based on data from ACHE. The study comprises 219 patients. Information on subjective pain experience and pain management were obtained by face-to-face interviews and nursing documentation. Results: Our findings indicate considerable deficits in terms of pain management in nursing care. Results show a lack of systematic pain assessment as well as missing documentation of therapeutic aims and pain management in nursing care. Conclusions: The identified deficits might be the result of current framework conditions that separate nursing pain treatment in Volume V and Volume XI of the German Social Security Code services. Appropriateness in pain management in nursing care can only be ensured if framework conditions are optimized.