Information Needed:

• Type of pain
• Onset
• Location, radiation
• Intensity - intermittent or constant
• What makes it better or worse?
• Relevant medications
• Associated problems
• Level of consciousness
• Potential cause for pain

Assessment of Effectiveness of Pain Management:

• Assess pain score, when possible (Score 0 is pain free, Score 10 worst pain ever) using verbal or visual analogue
• Note score and time

Method:

• Prior to treatment taking effect, show the PAINLOG™ side of the instrument to patient with the pointer set to 'No Pain'
• Ask patient to slide the pointer along the scale between 'No Pain' and 'Worst Pain Ever' so it best matches their pain level
• Read off from the other side on the scale of 0-10 (figure 2), document the score, but do not inform patient
• Leave pointer in place and repeat procedure as appropriate for patient’s condition
• Provide pain relieving measures
• Offer the PAINLOG™ again, pointer in position of last assessment
• Ask if pain level has changed.  Patient is to re-position pointer
• Read revised score and record