HCAHPS Series: Communicating and Managing Pain in the Hospital

Course overview

Communicating with patients and managing their pain while they are in the hospital ultimately affects their experience of care. Pain is a multifaceted and personal experience. Levels of perceived pain control and overall satisfaction as well as the intention by current or former patients to recommend the hospital are influenced by the staff -- nursing, physician, hospital -- and the overall environment of care. Nursing care and pain management are consistently noted to have a large impact on overall patient satisfaction and intention to recommend the hospital.