Descriptive Study of a Military Pain Clinic
Abstract
A minimum data set is a tool for abstracting a uniform collection of essential data elements from a patient record. This type of documentation will aid in cost containment, trending outcomes, stimulation of research, and promoting continuity of care. The purpose of this study is to analyze a sample of new consultation patient records collected over a 14 month period from a military chronic pain clinic. This is accomplished by developing a selected minimum data set and used to collect the data. The methodology includes a retrospective study of 57 chronic pain clinic patient consultation records from a military facility. The study found that the largest percentage of patients who visit the chronic pain clinic are 60-79 years of age and female. The most frequent location of pain was abdominal, axillary/upper arm, and back. The most frequent diagnosis was lower back pain. Treatment modalities included regional blocks, medication, physical therapy, and psychotherapy. The most frequent regional block performed was the lumbar epidural steroid injection. Many pain programs are based on a holistic or somatic model. This military chronic pain clinic is based on the somatic model. Possibilities of future research include the comparison of regional block vs. medication treatment and the role of certified registered nurse anesthetists in a chronic pain clinic.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 13, 1996
- Accession Number
- AD1011532
Entities
People
- Glenae E. Palmer
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences