Because of our state's legislative activity around improving pain care, Michigan is one of only five states that have received an "A" grade from the University of Wisconsin's Pain and Policy Studies Group. This means, essentially, that many of the regulatory barriers that prevent appropriate pain care in other states are not as much of an issue in Michigan. However, those of us who have struggled to have our pain effectively managed, or who have witnessed the agony of a loved one at the end of his or her life, know that a good grade does not always translate into good pain practice. Unfortunately, many other barriers still exist for health care professionals as well as people who live with pain.
The time has come for our attitudes and beliefs about pain and pain care to be transformed. People with pain and their caregivers, health care providers and policy makers must work together to end this silent epidemic. The technology exists to make people comfortable, so there should be no need for people to want to die because they are in agonizing pain with zero quality of life. Michigan's Patient Bill of Rights states that "a patient or resident is entitled to adequate and appropriate pain and symptom management as a basic and essential element of his or her medical treatment." Detroit Free Press
Related: Dying patients refused pain-relief because UK nurses fear prosecution for assisted suicide (beware of objectionable photos on the site)
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