Patient self-report is valid, the most reliable and therefore should be used when available. Standard assessment tools (Visual Analogue Scale, Numerical Rating Scale and Verbal Rating Scale) can be used.

Patient self-report, however, is frequently not available requiring other methods of assessing pain. A family member’s subjective assessment of a patient’s pain has not been shown to be an accurate method of assessment.

Pain observation tools performed by the bedside staff have been developed and been found to be valid and reliable. The routine use of one of these tools, e.g. the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) or Behavioural Pain Scale (BPS), is recommended.

The cause of any pain should be identified/treated and analgesia should be titrated to target pain scores.