Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 36 No. 4 April 2010
By Jonathan Planton, PharmD, BS; Barbara J. Edlund, PhD, RN, ANP, BC
ABSTRACT
Persistent or chronic pain is frequently reported by older adults and has the potential to dramatically influence quality of life. Estimates indicate that 25% to 50% of community-dwelling older adults experience this kind of pain. This rate is even higher in long-term care facilities, where 50% to 75% of residents have chronic pain syndromes that are untreated or undertreated. To promote optimal pain management and enumerate the responsibilities of skilled nursing facilities to effectively treat and prevent pain, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a new pain management surveyor guidance, F-Tag 309, which endorses the presence of an interdisciplinary team approach to pain management that involves the resident. The guidance delineates pain management principles, the need for ongoing professional education in all components of pain management, and emphasizes the important role of appropriate pharmacological treatment in conjunction with nonpharmacological interventions to aggressively manage pain. This directive will help skilled nursing facilities achieve optimal pain management for their residents.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Planton is Clinical Consultant Pharmacist, Charleston, and Dr. Edlund is Professor and Coordinator, Gerontological
and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Options, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Barbara J. Edlund, PhD, RN, ANP, BC, Professor and Coordinator, Gerontological and Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Options, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, PO Box 250160, Charleston, SC 29452-8900; e-mail: edlundb@musc.edu.
Received: June 16, 2009
Accepted: December 9, 2009
Posted: February 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/00989134-20100202-02
