Improvement in Pain Interfering with Activity

Why is this important?

Your home health provider should ask if you are experiencing pain during every visit.  If you are, the provider should attempt to determine and treat the cause of pain so you are more comfortable.  This effort may involve your physician as well.  Left untreated, the pain may prevent you from making further progress, such as performing daily routines, and could lead to depression, anxiety and a lower quality of life.

 

Pain with activity may not be completely relieved, but symptoms can be decreased.  Prevention and improvement of symptoms is mainly achieved through diet, exercise and medication or the use of specific equipment.

How WellSpan Compares

The following shows the percentage of patients who improved their pain interfering with activity.

Unit of Measurement: Percentage

A higher score is better than a lower score.

What we are doing to improve our performance.

Pain is assessed by therapists and nursing staff at each patient visit.  Plans call for an aggressive focus on early pain management, prompt physician notification of poor pain control, close monitoring of the effectiveness of medications, monitoring patient compliance with taking medications, as well as instruction on how and when to take medications.  Alternative pain relief measures such as heat and cold will be utilized and taught.