One such project at Parkview LaGrange Hospital has involved members of the Nursing Clinical Leadership Council, several of the hospital’s clinical departments and members of the PFAC. Their collaboration on the topic of pain management has resulted in the development of a tool that provides patients with a menu of available options to address their comfort. While the “Pain and Comfort Menu” was developed for patients who are hospitalized, many of the options may be of assistance to anyone.
Pain and Comfort Menu
Your comfort during your stay with us is very important. With this in mind, we’ve prepared a menu of resources we can offer you that will work in tandem with any pain medications your physician has ordered. These include everything from a warm blanket or an extra pillow, to visits with a social worker or clergy member, to games or use of a laptop or tablet to help you pass the time. Whatever your need, we hope you will make use of the items and actions on this Pain and Comfort Menu at any time during your visit. Please let your nurse know whatever you need.
Comfort items
- Warm compress/heating pad
- Ice pack
- Warm blanket
- Warm washcloth
- Extra pillow
- Pillow to raise your knees
- Humidification for oxygen
- Mouth swab
- Fan
Personal care items
Items that may have been forgotten:
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Deodorant
- Comb
- Hair tie
- Nail file
- Shampoo cap
- Pajama bottoms
Comfort actions
To increase your comfort, talk with your nurse about the following:
- Re-positioning
- Walk in hall
- Shower
- Gentle stretching/range of motion
- Consult with our Therapy Department
When medication is needed
Some pain may require medication. The following are suggestions and options for those times:
- Discuss your pain level goal with your nurse, referring to pain scale.
- Alert your nurse if you think your pain may need medication.
- Please share any pain regimens that you follow at home to control your pain.
- Ask for pain medication before the pain becomes too severe.
- Ask for next time of medication to be written on your white board.
- Consult with your pharmacist.
- Please let your nurse know if the pain medication is not working after 45 minutes.
Relaxation options
Relaxation in the hospital is hard to do at times so the following items may help:
- Holistic bag (includes ear plugs, lavender eye mask, bag of tea)
- Stress ball
- Aromatherapy inhalers (peppermint, orange, lavender)
- Sound machine
- Soothing music with images of nature
- Visit from social worker
- Visit from clergy member
- Quiet/uninterrupted time (discuss with your nurse)
Keeping boredom at bay
- Use of laptop/tablet
- Book or magazine
- Movie
- Deck of cards
- Puzzle book (Sudoku, word searches, crossword puzzles, coloring books)
