Posted by KarenT (209.215.1.158) on August 20, 2001 at 15:01:54:
In Reply to: this is the site you want.......... posted by don on August 20, 2001 at 14:52:26:
I was thinking the same thing.I found a couple of the JCAHO standards for pain management. It is a big no-no for hospitals to fail to correctly treat pain and they (JCAHO) will be zeroing in on it.
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Standard RI.1.2.8
Patients have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.
Intent of RI.1.2.8
Pain can be a common part of the patient experience; unrelieved pain has adverse physical and psychological effects. The patient's right to pain management is respected and supported. The organization plans, supports, and coordinates activities and resources to assure the pain of all individuals is recognized and addressed appropriately. This includes:
initial assessment and regular reassessment of pain;
education of relevant providers in pain assessment and management;
education of patients, and families when appropriate, regarding their roles in managing pain as well as the potential limitations and side effects of pain treatments; and
after taking into account personal, cultural, spiritual, and/or ethnic beliefs, communicating to patients and families that pain management is an important part of care.