Bryn Mawr Hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital Offers Holistic Approach to Pain Relief

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(BRYN MAWR, Pa. July 2008) – A recent study in the journal Lancet found that a quarter of Americans are in pain at any one point in time at a cost of more than $60 billion a year in lost productivity. Yet, many patients do not seek treatment, according to a survey conducted for the National Pain Foundation.

Maintaining the highest quality of life for patients with pain or chronic illnesses is the goal of the Palliative Care/Pain Management Consultation Service at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

"Many times, pain is perceived as a physical phenomenon," said Kathleen McDevitt, an advanced practice nurse who specializes in pain management. "But we also have psychological and social dimensions, which are interrelated. Often, physical pain management is inadequate because these other dimensions are not assessed."

When physicians request a pain consultation, Ms. McDevitt coordinates an interdisciplinary team of nurses and other medical specialists, social workers, a pharmacist, physical therapist, nutritionist and, if needed, a chaplain. "Each patient consultation is directed toward holistic pain relief by this unique team of members," says Ms. McDevitt. "Persistent pain can affect the immune system, sleep patterns, emotions, relationships, even our appetite. In hospital surveys, pain management is a patient priority."

A solution may be readily available with medication, or the patient may need help with the family and social issues stemming from a chronic illness.

Sometimes creative solutions are needed. When a 97-year-old woman developed difficulty swallowing and could not take her pain medication, Ms. McDevitt worked with one of Bryn Mawr Hospital’s clinical pharmacist’s to find a local compounding pharmacy that could prepare the special formulation of medication for a pain patch. "We could relieve the patient’s pain with the patch, rather than intravenously," she explained. "If the patient received the pain medication intravenously, she would have had to remain in the hospital. We were able to relieve her pain and achieve her goal of returning home to live."

The Palliative Care/Pain Management Consultation Service at Bryn Mawr Hospital recognizes the unique medical and social needs experienced by individuals with pain related to chronic diseases. Ms. McDevitt educates the hospital staff about pain management when consultations are needed. She is also involved in quality initiatives to evaluate the hospital’s goals for pain management.

Contact: Frieda Schmidt, 610-526-8298

Published:7-24-2008