Use of a checklist to improve pain control in hospitalized cancer patients: the 38Checkpain project.

Aim: Checklists may improve management of patients in different settings. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate the use of this tool to improve inpatient pain control. This study, conducted in Italy, aims to describe the experience, in terms of pain control, of the widespread introduction of a checklist for pain control in oncological patients, according to current Italian legislation. Materials & methods: In total, 92 Italian centers were randomly assigned to the use of the 38Checkpain to monitor pain management or to continue their standard practice without the use of this tool. Results: The 38Checkpain improved the control of pain compared with centers who did not use this tool. Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study suggest that the application of the 38Checkpain may help improve control of pain of hospitalized oncological patients.