TY - JOUR TI - Evidence based pain assessment protocol for non-verbal patients DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-mn8j-zm43 PY - 2020 AB - Purpose: Pain assessment practice in the nonverbal patient is incredibly challenging forthe nurse and as such, evidence has shown that a protocolized approach to pain assessments has shown to be effective. Therefore, the purpose of this project was the education, implementation, and evaluation of an evidence based pain assessment protocol for the comprehensive assessment of pain in the nonverbal patient. Methodology: This Quality Improvement project included the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) as part of an evidence based pain assessment protocol. A three-month implementation phase utilizing the evidence based protocol was initiated following nursing education with a post implementation nursing survey to evaluate its effectiveness. Results: It was discovered that the majority of nurses rated the CPOT components as positive in pain assessment in the nonverbal patient, however, additional feedback showed that not all nurses understood how to utilize the tool. Implications for Practice: Effective pain assessment and management has been shown to decrease ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation days, immobility, and negative hospital outcomes, however, based on nursing feedback, additional education and expert training may be beneficial for practice. KW - Critical care pain observation tool KW - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner LA - English ER -