Pain Management
All guests have a right to pain relief. At
Meadows Regional Medical Center you can
expect:
• Information about pain and pain relief
measures,
• A concerned staff committed to pain
prevention and management,
• Health professionals who respond quickly
to reports of pain, and
• Effective pain management.
As a guest at this facility, we expect that you
will
• Ask your caregiver what to expect
regarding pain and pain management,
• Discuss pain relief options with your
caregiver,
• Work with your caregiver to develop a pain
management plan,
• Ask for pain relief when pain first begins,
• Help your caregiver assess your pain,
• Tell your caregiver if your pain is not
relieved, and
• Tell your caregiver about any worries you
may have about taking pain medication.
How long will your pain medication be
needed?
Many patients only need pain medicine for a
short amount of time until the cause of their
pain goes away. Some patients with longterm
illnesses, such as cancer or arthritis,
will have to take medicine for longer periods
of time.
Safe Practices
It is important for patients to take pain
medication safely.
• Know how and when to take medicine.
• Know side effects and what to do about
them. Sometimes a change in the
medication or the dose is needed to stop
unwanted side effects.
• STOP TAKING your medication if you notice
a rash or have any trouble breathing, and
tell your doctor and/or nurse right away.
Timing
When taking pain medication, it is best not
to wait until the pain is very bad. If you do,
it may take longer for your medication to
provide pain relief and may also require a
larger dose. Taking pain medication thirty
(30) minutes before an activity that may
cause discomfort may be helpful; ask your
doctor or nurse.
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