Articles: pain-management.
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Specialized pain management centres have been shown to achieve significant clinical efficacy and a relevant reduction of direct and indirect costs. Furthermore, only patients are admitted after conventional therapies failed. The results of specialized pain management might be even more impressive if patients were treated earlier. Parameters of cost efficacy in pain treatment include pain reduction, reduction of drug intake, increase of physical activity, improvement of quality of life, reduction of inability to work, avoidance of early retirement.
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Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 2001
ReviewAcute and chronic pain management in palliative care.
Every palliative care patient should have the expectation that acute and chronic pain management will be an integral part of their overall care. However, in all too many instances, the pain of cancer is often grossly under-treated. This issue is of concern because more than 80% of patients with cancer pain can find adequate relief through the use of simple pharmacological methods. ⋯ Physicians with the basic skills of assessment and treatment will be able to control the symptoms in the majority of cancer pain patients. However, there are still some patients who may require other modalities to control their moderate to severe pain. A thorough understanding of all pain management options will help the gynaecological oncologist to maintain an acceptable quality of life for their patients throughout the therapeutic and palliative phases of care.
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Improved management of pain, particularly in inpatients, is a public health priority. We conducted this study to ascertain current practices and identify indications useful for measuring their impact. ⋯ Regular and simple indications, specifically the number of patients complaining of pain who have not been given an antalgesic, would provide the health care team with a measurement of pain management useful for assessing its impact and improving patient care.
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The ageing process can bring with it an increased incidence of conditions which give rise to chronic pain. Persistent musculoskeletal and/or neuropathic pain due to conditions such as back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes in elderly people can lead to a marked deterioration in their quality of life. ⋯ Pain management can be difficult due to the existence of multiple medical problems and the increased incidence of side-effects related to the treatment. This article aims to update nurses on the assessment and management of pain in the older adult, and will provide a broad overview of pain management strategies suitable for elderly patients.