At the first time period, 21,471 persons resided in a nursing home with 7,242 persons noted to have experienced pain. Of those with pain at the first assessment, 562 (7.8%) 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.

• 4,004 persons were in pain at the first assessment and were in a nursing home for a second assessment.
  
  
• 1,521 (38.0%) had worsening pain or their pain remained at a severe level.* Nationally, the rate is 41.4%.
  
  
  • Among those with cancer diagnoses, 45.7% were noted as having persistent severe pain.Nationally, the rate is 46.7%.
    
    
  • Among persons recognized as terminally ill, 39.7% 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 43.4%.  Nationally, the rate is 48.3%.

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