Tracer Methodology Discussion

Tracer Methodology Discussion

RAFT Task 3

The management of pain is a complex task that requires ongoing assessment and collaborative treatment planning. The Joint Commission (2001) established standards to address the growing need for standardizing pain assessment and pain management. Pain is defined as "whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever the experiencing person says it does" (McCaffery, 1968, p. 95) Two barriers to effectively managing pain include poor communication and bias on the part of the caregiver.

The communication between the patient and caregiver is an essential component for managing pain. Since pain management is dependent on self-reporting, hospitals must collaborate closely with the patient to ensure their pain control needs are met. Clinicians are especially challenged when working with patients such as infants or those with cognitive impairment who have difficulty communicating. Because of this, clinicians must include family members in the assessment process. One of the first things to be assessed is the patient's pain history. By asking what works and what doesn't work, the treatment team can individualize the plan of care. The patient should also be assessed on a regular basis and again after each intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. This will assist in making modifications so the patient can get the relief they need. By standardizing pain assessment protocols, assessment tools, and documentation, hospitals can improve communication so they can provide more effective treatment for reducing pain, restore functioning and improve quality of life.

In general, the pain assessment process is the responsibility of the nurse. Nurses are trained to recognize the physiological and psychological signs of pain. However, there are other factors that influence how well then nurse recognizes, interprets and responds to a patient's complain of pain. Here is an example. I work in a private behavioral health hospital where we treat patients who suffer with addiction. A large number of our patients abuse pain medications that were originally prescribed following an illness or injury. Many suffer from chronic debilitating pain that has not been managed properly. Some nurses become desensitized to the patient's complaints of pain and write it off as "med seeking" behavior. All nurses should evaluate their own attitudes and beliefs about pain so they can be a better patient advocate. Being aware their own bias can help improve their level of objectivity and effectiveness in assessing and treating the patient's pain.

Another issue that I believe contributes to bias is the epidemic of prescription drug abuse in this country. Dependency on pain medications crosses all regions, demographics and socio-economic levels. Now that the problem is so wide spread, many clinicians have experience with this problem on a personal level. In addition, could there be a fear among healthcare providers that pharmacological interventions will induce dependency? Will they be held responsible if their patient becomes addicted? Pain management specialists are monitored for following the appropriate prescribing guidelines. Pharmacy data bases now can capture patients who are "doctor hopping" in efforts to duplicate access to pain medications. While strict oversight of pain management practices is needed, we need to be aware of how our fears and apprehensions affect our ability to care for our patients who suffer with pain.

Pain management is a patient right. Hospitals and clinicians must work together to ensure safe and effective pain management strategies that enhance the patient's level of functioning. Ongoing staff development in the area of assessment, documentation and treatment modalities will assist in improving the provision of care.

References

Gordon, D. B.-R.-H. (2008). Improving Reassessment and Documentation of Pain Management. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 509-517.

McCaffery, M. (1968). Nursing Practice Theories Related to cognition, bodily pain, and man-environment interactions. Los Angeles: University of California at Los Angeles Students' Store.

Tracer Methodology Discussion

RAFT Task 3

The management of pain is a complex task that requires ongoing assessment and collaborative treatment planning. The Joint Commission (2001) established standards to address the growing need for standardizing pain assessment and pain management. Pain is defined as "whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever the experiencing person says it does" (McCaffery, 1968, p. 95) Two barriers to effectively managing pain include poor communication and bias on the part of the caregiver.

The communication between the patient and caregiver is an essential component for managing pain. Since pain management is dependent on self-reporting, hospitals must collaborate closely with the patient to ensure their pain control needs are met. Clinicians are especially challenged when working with patients such as infants or those with cognitive impairment who have difficulty communicating. Because of this, clinicians must include family members in the assessment process. One of the first things to be assessed is the patient's pain history. By asking what works and what doesn't work, the treatment team can individualize the plan of care. The patient should also be assessed on a regular basis and again after each intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. This will assist in making modifications so the patient can get the relief they need. By standardizing pain assessment protocols, assessment tools, and documentation, hospitals can improve communication so they can provide more effective treatment for reducing pain, restore functioning and improve quality of life.

In general, the pain assessment process is the responsibility of the nurse. Nurses are trained to recognize the physiological and psychological signs of pain. However, there are other factors that influence how well then nurse