Pain Management
Pain ManagementMorris Hospital is committed to helping patients manage their pain and discomfort. Our nurses and doctors want you to be comfortable and therefore will ask you about your pain. They also want to know if something is wrong. Be sure to tell us when you have pain so that we can work with you to manage it.
What is Pain?
Pain is a highly personal and subjective experience that cannot be assessed solely on objective parameters. Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever s/he says it does (as quoted by Margo McCaffery).
Why Manage Pain?
It is important to manage your pain for several reasons:
- To provide comfort
- To promote rest
- To promote healing
- To allow for increased activity and strength
How Do I Manage Pain?
At Morris Hospital, we approach pain in an interdisciplinary manner. Pain medication may be given as a liquid, pill, skin patch, injection into your arm or hip, or by injection into a vein. Also, it may be given continually on a schedule as needed. Please discuss with us which method best suits your needs.
There are many ways to relieve pain without the use of medication. They include:
- Relaxation techniques
- Stress reduction
- Massage
- Sensory distractions
- Heat or cold application
These methods can be used alone or with medication. Many help to relax tense muscles and sooth nerves.
What Can I Do to Manage Pain?
Many people are successful at managing their health and wellness. The following are things that you can do to manage your pain:
- Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect from your illness, injury or surgery as well as your hospitalization.
- Discuss your pain control plan; tell us what has worked well for you, or not so well in the past.
- Is your medication taken only when needed? If so, request it as soon as the pain starts. It is more difficult to manage pain once it has taken hold.
- Let any staff member know if your medication is not relieving your pain.
- Do not worry. Studies show that getting “hooked” on pain medication is very rare.
- Enjoy your favorite music, television or radio programs to distract you from your pain.
- Ask your nurse or doctor about other treatment options.
- Use exercise such as jaw relaxation or slow rhythmic breathing that will aid in relaxation.
- Prayer or meditation (on-call Chaplains are available to assist you).
Rate Your Pain
You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0-10 and select a word that best describes your pain. Some patients don’t like to discuss their pain or discomfort. They worry that they are bothering the doctors or nurses. Reporting your pain is important because it helps us to know how well your treatment is working and whether or not changes need to be made.
Patients of all ages and in all settings of Morris Hospital have a right to the following:
- Be informed and involved in all decisions regarding all aspects of care, including managing pain effectively.
- Express their pain and have that expression accepted and respected as the most reliable indicator of pain.
- Have their pain assessed systematically and thoroughly.
- Have their pain managed according to the most currently accepted practices.
- Receive a prompt response to unrelieved pain.
- Receive education related to the management of their pain.
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