Institute for Continuing Education

Pain: Changing Perspectives and Protocols

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Define and discuss the term pain, including the different types of pain experienced by patients.
• Discuss the etiology of pain.
• Identify and discuss the various medications and protocols recommended today for the care of patients in pain.
• Identify and discuss the new standards issued by the JCAHO regarding the management of pain in a variety of settings.
• Compare the protocols and philosophies regarding pain management found in the U.S. and several other Western countries.
• Discuss the new approach to pain at the DEA

Course Information

How to define “Pain” and how it should be “managed” is currently a very topical issue of interest among those in the healthcare profession all around the world. Patients in pain are now seen to have well-defined rights to receive adequate relief from their suffering. Both patients and care providers have been protesting the antiquated approaches to the care provided in relation to pain in recent years. Today, things are changing dramatically, and this Continuing Education Unit explores those changes, why they are happening, and how they may affect you.

In Chicago, Illinois, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has announced new standards and requirements for the assessment of pain in accredited hospitals and other healthcare settings. The new standards are impacting hospitals, nursing homes, home healthcare agencies, behavioral health facilities and health plans.

This CEU provides you with updated information on a wide variety of pain-related issues, including: definitions, etiology, medications, protocols (current and proposed), government regulations at all levels, international standards, and provides you with an in-depth look at the newly developed standards from JCAHO.

Some facts you should know about pain and the scope of the problem in the United States:

90% of all diseases may be associated with pain
65 million Americans suffer painful disabilities at any given time
61% of medical directors of pain centers are anesthesiologists
It is estimated that of all pain practitioners, fewer than 10% are proficient in more than 8 out of 130+ diagnostic or therapeutic (treatment) procedures relative to pain
It is possible that an individual that is untrained and unskilled in the treatment or surgery that is being offered can legally treat you!
75% or more of patients in hospitals hurt and suffer more than they should.
Thirty-one million Americans have low back pain at any given time. One half of all working Americans admit to having back symptoms each year. One third of all Americans over age 18 had a back problem in the past five years severe enough for them to seek professional help. And the cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $50 Billion yearly--and that’s just for the more easily identified costs! (Data according to the American Chriropractic Association)
40 million visits to healthcare providers and prolong hospital stays are due to pain. (Last two items according to NIH)
When dealing with such an enormously complex topic such as “pain” one finds it necessary to look at how pain impacts the life process from the beginning to the end. From the birthing process to the now often drawn out process of dying. Regarding birth, there are some issues on which healthcare profession don’t always agree.