Routine use of symptom assessment tools can greatly improve the quality of care. They allow regular documentation and monitoring of symptoms and the effectiveness of treatment. 

Pain assessment

• Visual Analogue Scale
• Faces pain scale for children 
• Memorial Pain Assessment Card
• Abbey Pain scale for assessment of pain in patients with dementia who cannot verbalise.

Assessing other symptoms

• Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale
• Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS)

Delirium

• Confusion Assessment Algorithm is a brief, validated tool that screens for delirium

Assessing performance state

• The ECOG scale
• A modified Karnofsky scale for use in palliative care

Distress

• The Distress Thermometer is a self-assessment tool that patients can complete.The tool is included in NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines on Oncology Distress Management.

 This page was created on 26 March 2007 and is due for review in March 2009