Assessment and management of pain in palliative care patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pain affects more than 70% of cancer patients but is often undertreated. METHODS: The authors review and present methodologies to maximize proper palliative approaches to this symptom for the majority of patients. RESULTS: The World Health Organization's stepwise guide to pain control serves as an excellent basis for management. Around-the-clock dosing, using adjuvant treatments, and using noninvasive routes of administration provide good pain control for 80% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to effective pain control will be reduced as new JCAHO standards regarding pain control are implemented.