Are you ready for JCAHO?- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Are you ready for JCAHO?- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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January 12, 2001
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In This Issue:
Retirement Celebration for Betty Pitcher
RISE-ing To The Top
“I Have a Dream”
Dedicated to Patient Satisfaction
Feedback Needed for New Shuttle Plan
Bermas to Direct New Center
Flu Season Has Arrived
Are you ready for JCAHO?
Pike Notes
JCAHO Hospital Survey • January 22-26 Ambulatory Survey • January 22-23 Ask Yourself: How Is Pain Management Assessed? The newly revised JCAHO standards on pain management—which will be in effect and scored on during the January 2001 survey—address patients’ rights to adequate pain assessment and the treatment across the continuum of care. The standards apply to both inpatient and outpatient areas, and require hospitals to: • Recognize the right of patients to appropriate assessment and management of pain; • Assess the presence, nature and intensity of pain in all patients; • Record the results of the assessment and facilitate reassessment and follow-up; • Ensure staff competency in pain assessment and management; • Establish policies and procedures that support the appropriate prescription of effective pain medications; • Educate patients and their families about effective pain management; • Address patient needs for symptom management in the discharge planning process; and • Implement question-and-answer procedures to insure effective implementation of initiatives. At BWH, all patients and their needs—including pain assessment—are reviewed by a physician and nurse within 24 hours of the patient’s admission. Pain can be measured using a visual or verbal 10-point analog scale (VAS scale). For pediatric patients or patients with poor communication ability, a “smile face” scale may be used. Reassessment of pain and all other patient conditions is a continuous effort of all care team members. BWH policy designates specific points within a patient stay when reassessment must occur, which include admission, transfer to/from another care unit, post-operative, significant change in patient’s condition and discharge. The patient’s health care team is primarily responsible for patients’ and families’ pain management education. There are instances, however, which require consultation from the BWH Pain Management Service based on the patient’s individualized care needs. Contact Edgar Ross, MD at ext. 6708 or Catherine Breen, RN at ext. 1334 for more information.