Positive Health Online

Abstract

CZARNECKI and COLLEAGUES, Jane B. Pettit Pain and Palliative Care Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA. mczarnecki@chw.org  review the ethical considerations regarding procedural comfort management and provides recommendations for nonpharmacological and pharmacological management during all phases of the procedure in light of guidelines of The American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN).

Background

The American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) has developed a position statement and clinical practice recommendations related to procedural preparation and comfort management.

Methodology

Procedures potentially produce pain and anxiety, both of which should be assessed and addressed before the procedure begins. This position statement refers to “comfort management” as incorporating the management of pain, anxiety, and any other discomforts that may occur with procedures.

Results

It is the position of ASPMN that nurses and other health care professionals advocate and intervene based on the needs of the patient, setting, and situation, to provide optimal comfort management before, during, and after procedures. Furthermore, ASPMN does not condone procedures being performed without the implementation of planned comfort assessment and management. In addition to outlining this position with supporting evidence, this paper reviews the ethical considerations regarding procedural comfort management and provides recommendations for nonpharmacological and pharmacological management during all phases of the procedure.

Conclusion

An appendix provides a summary of this position statement and clinical practice recommendations.

References

Czarnecki ML, Turner HN, Collins PM, Doellman D, Wrona S and Reynolds J. Procedural pain management: a position statement with clinical practice recommendations. Pain Management Nursing. 12(2): 95-111. Jun 2011.