Pain management
the estate, and most importantly – improve resident wellbeing. Overall, we have seen a transformation in relation to pain management which has significantly reduced distressed reaction behaviours and PRN benzodiazepine use. By effectively assessing pain, Dovehaven was able to optimise overall pain management, leading to a 67 per cent reduction in severe pain, a 42 per cent reduction in moderate pain, and a 25 per cent reduction in mild pain across our homes. Dovehaven has also seen a 41 per cent
reduction in instances of distress and a 58 per cent reduction in resident-to-resident altercations. These altercations require a significant amount of resource in response to investigate the cause, amend care plans accordingly, and report safeguarding referrals as required. While this process is incredibly important, it is incredibly resource intensive, taking away time that could be better spent with residents providing meaningful activity. Following the reduction of distress incidents, the necessity to use benzodiazepines within the home has also been reduced. Across our residents, 40 per cent fewer benzodiazepines are currently being used. Currently, only 2.8 per cent of our resident population has a PRN benzodiazepine prescribed.
Pain profiling Another key benefit of utilising digital pain assessment is our ability to develop ‘pain profiles’ for our residents. People express and display pain in different ways – while one resident may become highly mobile, shout, and resist care, another may become introverted, isolate themselves, or have a reduced appetite. By understanding the pain profile of each individual, we can personalise the care we deliver, making it more person centred. This also allows us to be more alert to any early warning signs of pain in the individual. Looking at data from three of our homes
between July and December 2024, we can see the following reductions in pain indicators: n Confusion – reduced by 48 per cent. n Aggression – reduced by 57 per cent. n Resisting care – reduced by 85 per cent. n Verbally offensive – reduced by 59 per cent.
n Requesting help – reduced by 51 per cent. n Distress – reduced by 55 per cent. n Crying – reduced by 70 per cent. n Screaming – reduced by 75 per cent.
July 2025
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
We decided that a better pain assessment solution was needed
These particular pain indicators are all associated with time and resources required to effectively support an individual, creating efficiency gains and allowing carers to focus their efforts on other meaningful activities. As a predominantly local authority
funded group, cost is of course always a key consideration when trialling new technologies. Many may assume that cutting-edge technologies are reserved for high-end care providers, but this is simply not the case, and Dovehaven’s success in rolling out a digital pain assessment tool across our estate demonstrates its affordability and accessibility. Ultimately, use of PainChek has
facilitated a strategic shift in how we care for our residents at Dovehaven. It is not a magic bullet for pain – rather, it is a medical device that informs our decision-making through the delivery of accurate, non- biased data.
Wider benefits of identifying pain Within the care home setting, better pain diagnosis enables more targeted and appropriate treatment strategies. This leads to improved pain control, less reliance on psychotropic medications, and an overall enhancement in residents’ quality of life. Accurate and objective pain assessments give clinicians the information they need to make better-informed decisions, reduce the risk of medication-related complications, and support better health outcomes. Improved pain management helps
caregivers respond more effectively to challenging behaviours that arise from untreated pain. It also promotes better
collaboration and data sharing across multidisciplinary teams, leading to more coordinated and efficient care. As a result of addressing pain more systematically, care homes can achieve a reduction in unplanned GP visits and hospital admissions, reducing the pain burden across their estate, as well as the costs and resources associated.
The future of digital pain assessment The social care industry is rapidly evolving, and digital innovation is set to play a central role in shaping its future. Indeed, technology such as AI can quickly look through large amounts of information, helping to predict problems, cut down on paperwork, and promote teamwork that focuses more on the resident. However, it is important that digital tools serve to enhance – rather than replace – human decision- making about residents’ care. As social care embraces digital
transformation, new technology can support more accurate and evidence-based care – paving the way for better outcomes for both residents and care providers. n
References 1 The harms of benzodiazepines for patients with dementia. CMAJ 2017.
https://pmc.ncbi.
nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5386844/
2 Benzodiazepine and z-hypnotic prescribing for older people in primary care: a cross-sectional population-based study. BJGP 2016. https://
bjgp.org/content/66/647/e410
Jo Hadfield-Cubbin
Jo Hadfield-Cubbin is head of clinical governance at Dovehaven Care Homes. She has worked in the social care sector for 34 years and joined Dovehaven five years ago as head of quality. Jo is also a registered nurse with a diploma in tissue viability.
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