1. Pain Concerns in the Workplace
Your Role in pain management

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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Becoming withdrawn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

6. 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

7. 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)