For many residents in care homes, particularly those with dementia or learning disabilities, communicating pain is a challenge. PainChek, an AI-powered pain assessment tool enhances the ability of caregivers to accurately access and manage pain in residents who can’t verbalise their discomfort.
The tool’s introduction has led to more frequent and precise pain assessments, improved use of pain relief, and reduced behavioural issues linked to unmanaged pain.
Project managed by our Project Lead Chris Rolls, the evaluation of PainChek has revealed significant benefits for both residents and care providers. For instance, helping care givers make more informed decision about pain relief, leading to fewer necessary medications, and a better overall experience for residents.
Aimee Twinberrow, former Project Lead at Life Sciences Hub Wales, now Digital Innovation Lead at Social Care Wales said:
“NICE guidance recommends monthly pain assessments for residents of care homes. Typically, we see them being done much less frequently and, where they are done, they are often not formal, documented assessments. Where they are documented, this is usually not done ‘live’ with the resident, but written down some time later in the office. PainChek allows caregivers to conduct those regular pain assessments, document them in real time and access longitudinal data on how their residents are doing.”
