Integrating Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Standards Into Pain Management Practices

Abstract

Although recent medical research has provided tremendous advances in pain relief, the wealth of knowledge and techniques available is underused by health care providers. Inadequate pain management was thought to be such a wide problem that the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) published new standards for the assessment and management of pain in 1999. All health care organizations are required to adhere to these guidelines, which recognize the patient’s right to appropriate pain management. The overall goal is to relieve pain and suffering, maintain the patient’s dignity, and improve quality of life. This article focuses on how health care professionals can integrate the JCAHO standards into pain management practices that will positively affect the quality of patient care on a day-to-day basis.