The few studies on the topic show no relation between patient satisfaction scores and the prescription of pain medication. “Our patient satisfaction scores tanked because we did the right thing,” said Ann Vermilion, an administrative director at Marion General. Dr. Thomas Lee, the company’s chief medical officer, said Press Ganey had found no relationship between pain management questions and overall hospital satisfaction scores. “So if doctors are being measured on whether the patient wants pain relief,” he added, that is what they may be inclined to provide. Pain satisfaction scores dropped the Marion emergency room from the 58th percentile to the 14th among 1,100 emergency rooms nationwide that send out the same survey.

Source: New York Times August 05, 2016 00:13 UTC