Pain mismanagement in long term care residents

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

one family's story along with ways to prevent mismanagement

pain mismanagement

nursing homes, june, 2007 by linda williams

pain has been clinically defined as "whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever the experiencing person says it does." unfortunately, this definition is inadequate for understanding pain in long-term care residents, as many have cognitive deficits and/or are conscious of pain but are unable to express it. moreover, residents often don't know how to get relief and staff members are unaware of the problem because they fail to adequately and routinely assess residents for pain. therefore, both groups misunderstand the importance of managing pain....

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i agree this is a huge huge problem. i know my patients really well and assess for pain frequently during my shift. i may not get all my monthly summaries done ( and all that other redundant paperwork done) ,but my patients are pain -free.

pain mismanagement

nursing homes, june, 2007 by linda williams

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Many of our very demented residents at my facility receive routine pain meds every 6 to 8 hours around the clock, in order to combat the abovementioned problem. Some receive Tylenol every 6 hours to control their DJD aches and pains, while others receive tramadol every 6 hours. Still, others receive MS contin or Oxycontin if they have dx of terminal cancer. The most common ATC pain med being prescribed at my place of employment seems to be Darvocet every 6 hours. Hydrocodone is also a popular one.