S W Tolle1, V P Tilden, S E Hickman, A G Rosenfeld. 1. Center for Ethics in Health Care, School of Medicine Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098, USA. tolles@ohsu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To see how often families in Oregon reported moderate to severe pain in dying patients in late 1998 compared with late 1997. DESIGN: A systematic random sample of death certificates was used to identify family members of decedents who died in a hospital setting between October 1 and December 31, 1998. A structured telephone interview was used to obtain data. PARTICIPANTS: Family members of 103 decedents (who died in hospitals 2 to 4 months before data collection) were identified with the use of death certificates. RESULTS: In late 1998, 56 family members (54%) reported that their loved one experienced moderate to severe pain in the last week of life. CONCLUSIONS: Family reports of moderate to severe pain in dying hospitalized Oregonians remain high. The influence of environmental factors on pain management may have implications for practice and policy nationwide.
OBJECTIVES: To see how often families in Oregon reported moderate to severe pain in dying patients in late 1998 compared with late 1997. DESIGN: A systematic random sample of death certificates was used to identify family members of decedents who died in a hospital setting between October 1 and December 31, 1998. A structured telephone interview was used to obtain data. PARTICIPANTS: Family members of 103 decedents (who died in hospitals 2 to 4 months before data collection) were identified with the use of death certificates. RESULTS: In late 1998, 56 family members (54%) reported that their loved one experienced moderate to severe pain in the last week of life. CONCLUSIONS: Family reports of moderate to severe pain in dying hospitalized Oregonians remain high. The influence of environmental factors on pain management may have implications for practice and policy nationwide.
Authors: R Bernabei; G Gambassi; K Lapane; F Landi; C Gatsonis; R Dunlop; L Lipsitz; K Steel; V Mor Journal: JAMA Date: 1998-06-17 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Anne M Walling; Steven M Asch; Karl A Lorenz; Carol P Roth; Tod Barry; Katherine L Kahn; Neil S Wenger Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2010-06-28