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September 2006  

In this issue…

Proclamation Issued

Webpage Gets a Mention

DEA Requests Comments

SCPI Promoted at Pain Management Conference

September Pain Facts

October Pain Events

Proclamation Issued

It’s official…September is Pain Awareness Month again in 2006! We have received this proclamation from Governor Sanford’s office. The Governor has given our cause his stamp of approval. We are encouraged by this declaration that pain management is an important issue to our elected officials.

Webpage Gets a Mention

Our webpage was mentioned in a recent e-newsletter by the American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives (AACPI). We are one of twenty states that have state pain initiative websites. If you have not already done so, please visit the SCPI site. Or to check out all of the State Pain Initiative websites.

 

The SCPI webpage will be continuously updated, so please forward any pain-related information, upcoming events or other issues you would like to share to Shannon Johnson.

DEA Requests Comments

The Drug Enforcement Administration is calling for comments after issuing a new policy statement and proposed rule. The rule involves the issuance of multiple prescriptions for controlled substances, a policy statement on the use of controlled substances for the treatment of pain, and a Practitioner’s Manual to assist practitioners in their understanding of the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The documents can be found on the DEA’s website under “What’s New.” Comments must be submitted on or before November 6, 2006. See the proposed rule for instructions on how to submit comments.

SCPI Promoted at Pain Management Seminar

SCPI made itself more visible by attending a recent educational event for healthcare professionals. Promotional information was given out. The September 6th and 7th PAIN: CLINICAL MANUAL on Amazon.comseminar was sponsored by Baxter Pharmaceuticals. The speaker was Chris Pasero, a renowned pain management educational consultant and clinician. She led a dynamic and informative seminar focusing on effective pain assessment and management and its barriers as well as pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for managing pain. To check out Chris Pasero’s book that was co-written with Margo McCaffery and to read to the editorial reviews, click on the book image on the left.

SEPTEMBER PAIN FACTS

Do you know the harmful effects of unrelieved pain? (as outlined from McCaffery M, Pasero C: Pain Clinical manual, p 24. Copyright 1999, Mosby, Inc)

 

Pain is harmful and it affects the whole of the human domain. It affects the endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, cognitive, immune, and developmental systems. It also impacts future pain and one’s quality of life. The effect on quality of life includes sleeplessness, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, and increased thoughts of suicide. View the outline below for other domains affected and the specific responses to pain:

 

  • Endocrine system: Elevated Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), epinephrine, norepinephrine, growth hormone (GH), catecholamines, renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, glucagons and interleukin-1 and decreased testosterone and insulin

  • Metabolic: Gluconeogenesis, hepatic glycogenolysis, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, muscle protein catabolism, and increased lipolysis

  • Cardiovascular: Hypercouagulation, deep vein thrombosis, hypertension, elevated heart rate, cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, systemic vascular resistance, coronary vascular resistance, and myocardial oxygen consumption

  • Respiratory: Atelectasis, shunting, hypoxemia, sputum retention, infection and decreased flows, volumes and cough

  • Genitourinary: Urinary retention, fluid overload and hypokalemia and decreased urinary output

  • Gastrointestinal: Decreased gastric and bowel mobility

  • Musculoskeletal: Muscle spasm, impaired muscle function, fatigue, immobility

  • Cognitive: Reduction in cognitive function, mental confusion

  • Immune: Depression of immune response

  • Developmental: Altered temperaments, higher somatization, infant distress behavior, possible altered development of the pain system, elevated behavioral and physiologic responses to pain and increased vulnerability to stress disorders, addictive behaviors, and anxiety states

October Pain Events

The Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Course (2 day)
Jackie Gambrell, RN, BSN, OCN
October 2 & October 3
Conference Room A-Patewood Medical Center- Greenville, SC
www.upstateahec.org

Putting the Pieces Together: Update in Pain Management 2006
(half day course, 2 sessions available)
Maribeth Kowalski, BS, PharmD
Tuesday, October 31

Conference Center Room 2-Greenville Memorial Hospital-Greenville, SC
www.upstateahec.org


South Carolina Cancer Alliance Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Columbia Conference Center, 169 Laurelhurst Avenue, Columbia, SC
www.sccanceralliance.org

 

Again, please check out the SCPI webpage and consider saving this link to your Favorites so that we can keep you updated on the latest news, events and resources in Pain Management.

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