Joint Commission clarifies pain management standard

The Joint Commission revised the rationale to Provision of Care standard PC.01.02.07, which discusses pain management and assessment, according to the November issue of Joint Commission Perspectives. Effective January 1, 2015, the rationale and a note in element of performance (EP) 4 say that organizations can include both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic solutions when considering treatment.

The new note for EP 4 mentions that using pain medications can also lead to the risk of dependence, addiction, and abuse of opioids. The revisions will appear in the standards for the ambulatory, care, critical access hospital, home care, hospital, nursing care centers, and office-based surgery programs.