Pain management clinical quality indicators

The clinical quality indicators for pain management are:

 

Pulsed radiofrequency nerve treatment

This is the clinical quality indicator for the improvement in patient-reported pain intensity ratings after pulsed radio-frequency treatment to spinal nerve root, for patients referred with sciatica or neuralgia.

The Numerical Rating Scale is a simple and intuitive measure of pain intensity.

Rationale

The Numerical Rating Scale provides a patient-reported outcome measure of the effectiveness of treatment.

Our objectives

We aim to reduce NRS scores by 3 points averaged across all patients who received pulsed radio frequency treatment for these conditions.

Comment on current performance

Expected in Summer 2014.

 

Satisfaction with pain management clinic

This is the clinical quality indicator for patient satisfaction scores after attendance at our pain management clinic.

These include scores relating to:

  • trust in doctors
  • trust in other helathcare professionals
  • likelihood of recommending to family and friends.

Rationale

Information anticipated in 6 months

Our objectives

Information anticipated in 6 months

Comment on current performance

Expected in Summer 2014.

 

Self-efficacy, catastrophisation, depression and anxiety

This is the clinical quality indicator for the improvement in scores of self-efficacy and three aspects of mental state after attending our pain management programme.

Rationale

Our pain management service has developed a programme in which groups of patients work with physiotherapists, psychologists and doctors to learn to reduce the impact of pain on their lives.

Improvements in functional scores indicate that patients are able to function more independently and are troubled less by negtive thoughts, depression and anxiety.

Our objectives

There is no national standard for pain management services. We aim to develop a standard from our initial results.

Comment on current performance

Expected in Summer 2014