At the first time period, 10,444 persons resided in a nursing home with 7,212 persons noted to have experienced pain. Of those with pain at the first assessment, 724 (10.0%) had excruciating pain in the past week.

The persistent pain quality indicator focuses on those persons in pain at the first assessment and remained in the nursing home for a second assessment at least sixty days later.

·        3,320 persons were in pain at the first assessment and were in a nursing home for a second assessment.

·        1,718 (51.7%) had worsening pain or their pain remained at a severe level.*  Nationally, the rate is 41.4%.

o       Among those with cancer diagnoses, 57.7% were noted as having persistent severe pain.  Nationally, the rate is 46.7%.

o       Among persons recognized as terminally ill, 65.3% experienced this level of pain.  Nationally, the rate is 44.3%.

·        Among persons able to report on their pain, the rate of persistent pain was 60.8%.  Nationally, the rate is 48.3%.

*Severe pain equals daily moderate pain or any excruciating pain in the last week.