Your Menu of Pain Control and Comfort Options

Controlling your pain and making your experience with us the very best it can be.

Welcome to Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital. Thank you for choosing us in your time of need. This Menu of Pain Control & Comfort Options was designed by patients and caregivers to help you and your nurse and/or doctor make pain goal decisions together. Depending on your individual plan of care, some options may be

1 Comfort items

Warm compress/heating pad

Ice pack Warm blanket Warm washcloth Extra pillow Neck pillow Egg crate foam mattress

topper Pillow to raise your

knees or ankles Humidifi cation for your

oxygen tube Saline nose spray Mouth swab

2 For those times when medication is needed

Talk to your nurse if you think your pain requires medication.

Ask for your pain medication before the pain returns; ask your nurse when your pain medication is available next.

Discuss pain medication combinations with your nurse or doctor.

Let your nurse know after 45 minutes if your pain medication is not working.

Discuss with your nurse if you have a pain regimen at home that works.

3 Comfort actions

Re-positioning Walk in the hall Bath or shower Gentle stretching/range

of motion

4 Personal care items

Lip balm Toothbrush/toothpaste Deodorant Dental fl oss Comb/brush Q-tip cotton swabs Hair tie Shampoo/conditioner Nail fi le Pajama bottoms

5 Relaxation options

Ear plugs Eye shield Stress ball Back massager Personal headphones Aromatherapy Visit from clergy Sound machine CARE TV channel

(soothing instrumental music with beautiful images of nature)

Quiet/uninterrupted time (discuss this with your nurse)

6 How to keep boredom at bay

Book or magazine DVD player Deck of cards Puzzle book (crossword

puzzles, word searches, Sudoku)

Handheld video game

We look forward to discussing these options with you. If you need additional items or have any questions, please ask your doctor or nurse. Our goal is to make

your experience with us the very best it can be.

restricted for a time until your condition improves. Please discuss your pain control goals and comfort options with your nurse and/or doctor. You know how you’re feeling better than anyone, so we hope this menu makes it easier for you to talk to us about your pain control throughout your diagnosis and treatment.

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Agonizing

Horrible

Dreadful

Uncomfortable

Annoying

None

Worst Possible

Very Severe

Severe

Moderate

Mild

No Pain

How’s your pain?Not everyone feels pain the same way. Only you know how badly you hurt. We will work with you to manage your pain. Use this pain scale to describe and rate your pain. And be sure to let your caregivers know if your pain continues after treatment.

©2011 Exempla Healthcare, Inc.