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P A I N
M A N A G E M E N T
line, we hired experienced nurses who could specialize in caring for
and supporting the needs of the chronic pain patient.
Pain patients are usually pretty accommodating. They're so excited
about the prospect of relief that they'll follow any direction we give
them. Since they may have mobility difficulties, though, assistance is
often necessary, not just for standing and walking, but also for lying
down. Make sure you have sufficient and effective positioning accessories.
Our waiting room and pre-op/post-op areas are outfitted with reclining chairs padded with lumbar and neck supports. We also equip the
procedure room with accessories to help them climb onto the table —
unlike surgery patients, our pain patients aren't transported to the
room on a stretcher — and to support them in what may be uncomfortable seated or lying positions for injection access. Keep in mind
that surgical patients who are sedated or anesthetized aren't aware of
their positioning, but pain patients are awake and may be hurting.
A word on drug security
The physicians who administer your injections should serve as gatekeepers against drug-seeking behavior — patients who attempt to
obtain medications from more than one doctor — at the practice
level. Our physicians require their patients to sign an agreement that
they won't seek simultaneous treatment elsewhere during their consultation, and patients' pharmacies check in with the practice when
they bring prescriptions. Still, it is strongly advised that you keep your
pain medications and prescription pads secured and attended in
accordance with regulators' standards (see "An Easy Way to
Safeguard Prescription Pads").
There's not too much pre-op preparation required for pain management injections. Sometimes we'll give a small injection of sedation
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2013
