Pain Management in the Long-Term Care Setting

Download a printable copy in PDF format.

Source: American Medical Directors Association (AMDA). Pain management in the long-term care setting. Columbia (MD): American Medical Directors Association (AMDA); 2003. 36 p. Pain Management in the Long-Term Care Setting Is pain present? Recognition Is individual at risk for having pain? Identify and address risk factors Ask periodically about the presence of pain Have characteristics and causes of pain already been adequately defined? Identify pain characteristics and begin to seek causes Provide appropriate interim treatment for pain Perform a pertinent history and physical examination Assessment Are the causes of pain identified? Perform further diagnostic testing, as indicated Are the causes of pain identified? Obtain additional assistance as necessary Are the causes of pain identified? Review previous steps and obtain assistance as needed Summarize the characteristics and causes of the patient's pain and assess the impact of pain on function and quality of life Adopt an interdisciplinary care plan Treatment Set goals for pain relief Implement the care plan Re-evaluate the patient's pain Monitoring Adjust treatment as necessary Is pain controlled? All copyrights are reserved by the American Medical Directors Association.