Page 58 - 2020 ARE eGuide for Clinical at Nonhospital Sites

Pain Management (Patient Right)

Standards mandated by the Joint Commission are the following:
• Assess all patients for pain
• Perform an assessment to identify the source
• Reassessment and documentation of pain is required after treatment intervention(s) are provided
Accurate documentation of all aspects of treatment
interventions and responses is important to
communicate information about the patient's pain to the
various specialists participating as members of a
multidisciplinary team.

Inadequate pain
management can lead
to impaired
gastrointestinal or
pulmonary function,
inadequate immune
response delayed
healing, and immobility.
Unrelieved pain can
cause psychological
impairments such as
difficulty coping,
insomnia, poor
concentration, anxiety,
and depression.

Note: Fear of medication side effects or potential addiction and/or apprehension that the provider
will perceive them as drug seeking may make patients hesitant to tell their health care providers
about their pain.