Acute pain management continues to be an ongoing challenge faced by healthcare professionals in the acute setting. The incidence of pain has remains high with an estimated 75% of patients reporting moderate to severe pain in the acute setting, this has remained unchanged since the 1950's. Throughout the literature it is felt that this is largely due to a lack of knowledge and misconceptions regarding assessment and management of pain by all healthcare professionals. 
A modified version of McCafferty & Ferrell Knowledge and Attitudes survey was used to evaluate nursing staff current level of knowledge and attitudes towards pain assessment and management. A baseline audit was performed and following the results a bespoke education plan was delivered to registered nurses across the District General Hospital. The survey was then repeated to evaluate the impact of the educational interventions. 
58 surveys were completed in the base line audit and a further 65 were completed following educational interventions. The mean knowledge score increased from 73% to 76% following educational interventions, individual question analysis also reviled a significant improvement across questions relating to pharmacology, pain assessment and belief in patient's report of pain improved. 
This audit has allowed for the identification of knowledge gaps and following educational intervention it was possible to change and challenge long held misconceptions regarding pain assessment and management. Even though there was a small improvement in mean knowledge score there was a significant improved seen in individual question analysis.

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM ON IMPROVING NURSING KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS PAIN WITHIN A DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL