First, the bad news. Hospitals will have to comply with new pain assessment and management standards. Now, the good news. Surveyors won't score the standards until 2001. Prior to these changes, the Joint Commission required hospitals to address pain management only as it applies to the care of the dying patient.
Unrelieved pain has enormous physiological and psychological effects on patients.
Research clearly shows that unrelieved pain can slow recovery, create burdens for patients and their families, and increase costs to the health care system. With the American Pain Society's blessing, the Joint Commission will include pain management standards in six of its accreditation programs. Earlier this year, the Joint Commission sent copies of the proposed pain management standards to accredited health care organizations, professionals, and consumer groups seeking feedback. The intent statement of standard RI.1.2 now includes managing pain effectively as part of a hospital's efforts to promote patient and family involvement in all aspects of their care. A new standard RI.1.2.8 states that patients have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain.