Quality Indicators for Pain Management in Geriatric Patients: A Scoping Review

Pain Manag Nurs. 2026 May 18:S1524-9042(26)00150-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2026.04.016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Quality indicators (QI) can be valuable tools for measuring and improving the quality of healthcare and used widely in the international context. Geriatric patients are older adults with geriatric-typical multimorbidity, and pain is common in this particular vulnerable population. QIs can be employed to improve the quality of pain management.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to identify international QIs related to pain management in geriatric patients. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and was reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.

RESULTS: We identified 129 QIs across the included studies. Considerable variation was observed in recommended time frames for pain screening and reassessment. Most QIs focused on pharmacological management, whereas only a small number addressed non-pharmacological interventions. Few studies provided a definition of QIs, and most did not apply Donabedian’s framework.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of validated QIs for pain management in geriatric patients, particularly in the domain of non-pharmacological interventions. Standardized, evidence-based QIs are needed to support high-quality, comprehensive pain care for geriatric patients.

PMID:42151019 | DOI:10.1016/j.pmn.2026.04.016