Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. PAIN MANAGEMENT EDUCATION PURPOSE: * To uphold patients rights to receive information about, and when appropriate to be involved in the decision-making process about care, treatment and/or services. * To communicate to patients and families the importance of pain management as an integral part of care, treatment and/or services while taking into account personal, cultural, spiritual and/or ethnic beliefs. * To instruct patients and families about pain and effective pain management. POLICY: * The Agency plans, supports and coordinates activities and resources to assure that the patient’s pain is recognized and addressed appropriately. * All patients admitted to the Agency will receive education regarding pain and pain management when warranted by their condition. This education will be provided in a format and language that is understandable to the patient and his/her family. * Education is provided, as appropriate, during the admission visit and whenever necessary while the patient is receiving services from the Agency. * Patients and families are provided with the following information: * A general overview of pain and its management * Pharmacological management of pain, including appropriate use and common side effects of drugs * The potential limitations, side effects and possible unexpected outcomes of pain management modalities * Nonpharmacological pain management * Patient and family roles in the control and management of pain * For non-verbal patients a FLAC scale will be used to assess patient pain level. Home Health Agency Nursing Manual J-50