Pain Concerns in the Workplace Your Role in pain management

Objectives To provide awareness of pain management through identification of pain and prompt reporting. To identify ways to report pain when a patient, visitor or family verbalizes pain. To increase patient and staff satisfaction.

Benefits of Identifying Pain Improve outcomes during service Increase knowledge and awareness of pain issues for staff, patients, family and visitors Increase patient and staff satisfaction Improve communication of pain issues among staff members

Pain to the Individual Pain is subjective, meaning the individual has the authority over what their pain is. The single most reliable indicator of the existence of pain is the individual’s self report. Pain can vary in severity, persistence, source and management, which is unique to each individual

Identifiers of Pain Verbal complaint of pain Facial expressions (grimaces or rapid blinking) Moaning or cries for help Guarding certain areas of the body or tense stance Disruptive behavior Becoming withdrawn Irritability

Special Considerations Infants and children have a hard time identifying their pain. They communicate through crying, feeling irritable or moaning. Elderly and those unable to communicate verbally. They express their pain through the following: - grimacing - flailing - being still - crying - groaning

Role of the Staff in Pain Management Everyone is Responsible in Reporting Pain Identify signs and symptoms of pain Listen when pain is reported If a patient, family or visitor reports any complaints of pain, notify the nurse or charge nurse and/or House Supervisor (ext 1800)