Pain Management in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Pain Management in skilled nursing facilities requires a structured approach to assessing and treating pain in elderly residents. The chapter covers the types and causes of pain common in nursing home populations, emphasizing both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options. The chapter highlights best practices for opioid and non-opioid pain relief, injection-based therapies, and multidisciplinary approaches to managing chronic and acute pain. Special considerations for geriatric patients, including medication side effects, cognitive impairments, and functional limitations, are also discussed. This resource helps nursing home staff implement safe, effective, and individualized pain management strategies to enhance residents' comfort and quality of life.
Resources for Pain Management
Below, you’ll find a curated selection of links and tools that complement the chapter on Pain Management in Skilled Nursing Facilities. The resources listed cover a broad range of topics, including pain assessment techniques for older adults, guidance on opioid and non-opioid prescribing, non-pharmacologic interventions, and practical strategies tailored to the skilled nursing environment. Whether you are looking to improve documentation, enhance staff training, or refine your approach to both acute and persistent pain, these links provide accessible, actionable insights to enhance the comfort and quality of life for your residents.
Pain Management in Nursing Homes Fact Sheet
Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC)
This fact sheet provides an overview of pain evaluation, underlying causes, and both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions tailored for nursing home residents. LTCCC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving care standards in long-term care facilities.
NursingHome411
Pain Assessment and Management Standards for Nursing Care Centers
The Joint Commission
This document outlines the standards effective from July 1, 2019, for pain assessment and management in nursing care centers. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies healthcare organizations, ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards.
R3 Report
Pain Assessment and Management in Care Homes: A Systematic Review
PMC Geriatrics
This systematic review explores the complexities of pain recognition, assessment, and treatment in care homes, highlighting the need for comprehensive training and guidelines. BMC Geriatrics is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on health care in older populations.
BMC
Management of Chronic Pain in Nursing Homes
PubMed
This article reviews strategies for managing chronic pain in nursing home residents, emphasizing the preference for non-pharmacologic modalities and cautious use of opioids. PubMed is a free resource supporting the search and retrieval of biomedical and life sciences literature.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33497656
Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
This report identifies gaps and provides recommendations for best practices in managing acute and chronic pain. HHS is the U.S. government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans.
HHS.gov
Improving Pain Management in Long-Term Care
NursingCenter by Wolters Kluwer
This resource offers information and tools to help healthcare professionals manage and treat pain effectively in long-term care settings. NursingCenter is a premier online resource for nursing professionals.
https://www.nursingcenter.com/
Pain in Older Adults
National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Provides an overview of evidence-based approaches for managing pain in older adults, including the use of minimally invasive and injection-based treatments. The NIA highlights the importance of individualized care, careful evaluation of risks and benefits, and coordination with healthcare providers to optimize safety and effectiveness in this population.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/pain
These resources offer comprehensive insights and practical guidance to enhance pain management practices in nursing homes, aiming to improve the comfort and quality of life for elderly residents.