The information presented in the brochure is very informative; it emphasizes the role of pain management in patient-centered care and clarifies the position of The Joint Commission on standards in pain management. The brochure also gives a historical background to standards in pain management and the progress in development and adoption of better standards. It also highlights ongoing debates in the medical community such as whether pain should be considered a vital sign. Under treatment of pain is a major challenge in the endeavor to increase the quality of health services and make it patient-centered. Standards in pain management are an attempt to address the under-treatment of pain and ensure that practitioners stick to best practices. I could incorporate the information in my patient education by noting the significance of pain management in patient-physician communication, recuperation, and factors such as the risk of addiction to pain management drugs.
The brochure presents information very clearly; it seeks to educate the reader on the Joint Commission’s fundamental standards and to dispel common misconceptions about the Joint Commission. For instance, the three basic standards of the pain commission are presented at the beginning of the brochure. For the reader, these statements establish a context for the interpretation of the following information. The basic standards are that pain management is an important component of patient-centered care, and that patients have the right to proper pain management. The brochure then elaborates on the foundational standards, stating what policies a health service institution should implement in order to be compliant. These policies refer to the appropriateness and efficacy of the pain assessment methods used as well as the commitment to treat pain, either directly or by referral. Next, the brochure deals with various misconceptions about the policies of the Joint Commission and the consequences of the adoption of these standards. One example of these misconceptions is that the standards promoted by the Join Commission caused a significant increase in opioid prescriptions. To refute this belief, the brochure cites empirical data that is collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which clearly shows that the belief is erroneous. The presentation of information in the brochure is clear and concise.
The information in the brochure is supported by current health care research, such as research in opioid dependency and abuse. The use of opioids in pain management is controversial, and attitudes are continuously shifting between more permissive and restrictive use. The brochure advices careful use of opioids with appropriate judgment of the associated risks and benefits. Pain management is an important component of patient-centered care, because chronic pain affects a significant amount of the population. In the U.S for instance, about 116 million people live in chronic pain. It costs billions of dollars in lost productivity. Therefore, the brochure concurs with healthcare-related research.
The target audience of the brochure is health care professionals such as physicians and doctors, and people involved in the design and implementation of health policies. Other people that can use the information are teachers and students in the health services fields. In addition, patients could benefit from reading the article to raise their awareness of pain management standards and their rights and entitlements in health service institutions.
The information in the brochure will increase patient safety by increasing awareness in pain management practices and establishing best practices in the evaluation and treatment of pain. By adopting standards that take into consideration factors such as the risk of opioid abuse, dependency and addiction, patient safety will be increased.
References
Rosenblum, A., Marsch, L. A., Herman, J., & Portenoy, R. K. (2008). Opioids and the treatment of chronic pain: Controversies, current status, and future directions. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 405-416.
