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Pain Management

Inova Health System and its staff are committed to identifying and treating your pain needs. Inova Health System supports each patient?s right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.

What is Pain?

Pain is one of the ways your body reacts to injury or illness. Everyone feels pain differently, and you may feel various levels of pain depending on the cause. Your report about your pain is the most reliable source of information.

What Causes Pain?

Pain can be caused by injury, surgery or disease. Some pain can be caused by pressure on a nerve, such as a tumor or a back problem. Other pain may be caused when skin, muscles and nerves are cut in surgery or in an accident. Sometimes there is no clear reason why people have pain. Most pain can be managed and controlled with medicine and other treatments. You may not be completely pain free during your hospitalization or home care, especially after surgery or a medical procedure. However, your health care team will work with you to develop a plan that is best for you.

Why is Pain Management Important?

The treatment of pain is an important part of your health care. Pain that is treated effectively leads to faster recovery from surgery, illness and injury.You get your strength back sooner and have fewer problems.

Pain Management Plan:
A Patients Guide to Pain Management

What You Can Do?

• Tell your nurse or doctor about your pain.
• Describe your pain (none, dull, sharp, cramping, stabbing).
• Tell your nurse/doctor where the pain is located. If you have pain in more than one place, make sure to tell them that also.
• Rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10 using the Pain Assessment Scale.
• Tell your nurse or doctor if the medicine or treatment worked. Also, tell them what has worked or not worked for your pain in the past.
• Ask for pain relief when the pain first begins.
• Ask for pain relief before doing activities that can increase your pain, such as coughing, deep breathing, turning, sitting up or walking.
• Before taking any medication, be sure your caregiver knows you are the correct patient to receive it. Be sure you know the name and potential side effects of any medication before you take it.
• After discharge, notify your physician of any pain problems or questions.

Pain Assessment Scale

What Your Doctor and Nurse Will Do

• Ask your name and verify your identification by checking your armband or medical record before giving you your medication.
• Explain to you about how the health care team will work with you to help relieve your pain.
• Ask you about your pain on a regular basis.
• Explain the type and amount of medicine you are receiving for your pain. There are many different kinds of medications that are used to treat pain. Sometimes a combination of pain medications provides the best results.
• Types of pain medications include:
  • Opioids, commonly known as "narcotics," can be given in many forms (pill form, intravenous, injectable form, patch or suppository form).
  • Non-opioid pain relievers reduce pain by decreasing swelling and soreness.
  • Local and regional anesthetics are given to block the nerve impulses that carry the pain signals.
  • Other medications may be given to help control your pain.
• Ask you if you received the relief you expected from your medicine or treatment.
• Suggest other ways to help you be more comfortable. Some examples are use of heat or cold, relaxation, or physical therapy.
• Explain the medications that you will be taking at home to provide continuing pain control (type and amount of medication and how to take the medication).

About Side Effects

Pain medications can cause side effects, but not everyone experiences them. Some of the most common side effects are:

• constipation
• feeling sick to your stomach and vomiting
• feeling sleepy
• difficulty urinating

These side effects are treated very easily. Make sure you tell your doctor and nurse when they first happen while taking pain medications.

Common Concerns About Pain Medicine

Concern: I will become "hooked" or "addicted" to pain medicine.
Fact: Studies have shown that getting "hooked" or "addicted" to pain medicine is very rare.The pain medicine will help you sleep better, eat better and do the activities that are important for you to get better. As you begin to feel better, you will need less medication.

Concern: If I take too much medicine, it will stop working.
Fact: Medicine will not stop working, but sometimes your body will get used to the medicine.This is called tolerance.The amount of medicine can be changed or other medicines can be added.

Concern: I can only take medicine or treatments when I have severe pain.
Fact: You should not wait until the pain becomes severe to take your medicine. Pain is much easier to control when it is mild than when it is severe.

Concern: If I complain too much, I am not being a good patient.
Fact: You have the right to ask for pain relief. Controlling your pain is an important part of your care.Tell your doctor or nurse if you have pain.

Concern: I do not want to lose control.
Fact: Sometimes pain medicines can make you dizzy, light headed or confused. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately. Changing the amount or type of medicine can sometimes help solve the problem.