changes to improve pain management

You'll finally see changes to improve pain management.

Pain is still way under-treated for many patients.

The DEA and State Boards have caused physicians and pharmacists to shy away from giving adequate doses of opioids. Many patients have been forced to just tough it out.

But inadequate pain control can actually INCREASE the need for opioids and cost more in the long run.

Chronic pain can burn a pathway into the CNS...causing patients to feel pain and require opioids long after the initial cause is gone.

Pain experts agree that most pain can be adequately treated...but old rules about using opioids are creating problems.

New standards from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) will go into effect in January.

Institutions will have to follow specific guidelines. This will ripple down to ambulatory care and community pharmacists.

Health professionals will be encouraged to consider pain the "fifth vital sign." Pain intensity ratings will be noted along with temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

Ask your patients if their pain meds are effective.

Treat people who come to the pharmacy for pain meds as patients...be careful not to prejudge them as potential abusers.

Educate patients and their families about the importance of managing pain...and tell them not to be overly worried about addiction.

Addiction is a psychological disorder...leading to compulsive use. Very few patients who NEED opioids for pain become addicted.

Don't let archaic rules and beliefs stand in the way of appropriate pain relief. As long as you keep your eyes open for obvious drug abuse or diversion, your actions will be defensible under the law.

• Other: Improving Pain Management