Over time, is a patient who takes an opioid for chronic pain likely to become addicted? Equally important, are you confident that you know the right answer?
In this issue, we invite you to participate in a survey that asks these questions, and more. (See page 13.) Ethically and legally, you're required to provide relief for patients in pain. But evidence suggests that many clinicians still harbor misconceptions about pain control-particularly opioid use-that hamper their ability to fully meet this obligation. Results from this survey will help gauge the attitudes, prejudices, and pain management expertise of nurses across the country.
Pain expert Yvonne D'Arcy will report the results in a future issue. After tallying responses, she'll review them in the context of the latest clinical evidence and current pain relief guidelines and discuss their implications for patient care.
Readers have told us how previous survey reports on patient safety and medication errors have helped them update their practices. Don't miss this opportunity to add your voice to this important research.
Switching to a personal note, I want to tell you that this is my last editorial for Nursing. After much soul-searching, I've decided to move on to another position. It's a great new opportunity for me, but it wasn't a decision I made lightly. For more than 12 years with Nursing, I've had the privilege of working with wonderful people in one of the best jobs a nurse could hold. Every day I've learned something new from nurses from all over the globe. And I'll dearly miss the outstanding team of nurses, editors, graphic designers, and others who craft this journal.
As parting advice, I'd like to recommend a book that's been a guiding light for our staff. It can help you and your colleagues improve your practices too. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap[horizontal ellipsis]and Others Don't1 describes how businesses with a long-standing history of excellence stay that way. Whether you're focusing on patient care or publishing a great journal, these principles can help you succeed:
* Get the right people on board.
* Change practices that don't work while staying focused on the core. (For Nursing2007, that means you.)
* Debate vigorously to work out strong solutions, then unify behind decisions regardless of personal interests.
* Stop doing some things-don't add tasks without removing others-and focus on what works.
I sincerely thank all of you for your passion for nursing and your commitment to this journal. The fire of enthusiasm from our nursing colleagues keeps us all warm.
Best wishes,
Cheryl L. Mee, RN, BC, CMSRN, MSN
Editor-in-Chief, Nursing2007
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