Use of technology in the management of cancer pain

The purpose of this study was to explore issues surrounding pharmacologic therapies used with advanced pain technology (APT) for cancer pain management. This study used a multi-site audit of randomly selected charts of patients advanced from oral analgesics to either patient controlled analgesia (PCA) or continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of opioids. A chart audit tool was developed and tested to establish reliability and validity. One hundred and thirty-six (136) chart audits were completed across nine acute care settings in three states. Data is also provided from a questionnaire mailed to health care professionals regarding the use of pain technology (N = 442). Study findings illustrate inconsistent indications for “high tech” strategies and important clinical implications for interventions such as PCA. Clinicians caring for patients with pain have an opportunity to develop standards for use of pain technology which can impact health policy and insure patient comfort.