Pain is an uncomfortable feeling that tells you something may be wrong in your body. Pain is your body’s way of sending a warning sign of danger, injury, or illness.

People often feel that severe pain is something they “just have to put up with.” With current treatments, that is no longer true. You may not be able to completely eliminate your pain every time, but you can work with your doctors and nurses to prevent or relieve most pain. Be sure to tell your doctors and nurses whenever you have pain.

As a patient in our hospitals, you can expect:

• Information about pain and pain relief measures
• A concerned staff committed to pain prevention and management
• Health professionals who respond quickly to reports of pain
• Health professionals who believe your reports of pain
• State-of-the-art pain management

As a patient in our hospitals, we expect that you will: 

• Ask your doctor or nurse what to expect regarding pain and pain management
• Discuss pain relief options with your doctor and nurse
• Work with your doctor and nurse to develop a pain management plan
• Ask for pain relief when pain first begins
• Help your doctor and nurses assess your pain
• Tell your doctor or nurse if your pain is not relieved
• Tell your doctor or nurse about any worries you have about taking pain medications 

Options for Pain Control

Both drug and non-drug treatments can be successful in helping to prevent and control pain. Medications come in pills, shots, suppositories, or through tubes in your vein or back. Deep breathing, relaxation exercises, and music are a few examples of non-drug treatments. You and your doctors and nurses will decide which ones are right for you. Many people combine two or more methods to get greater relief.

How We Assess and Monitor Your Pain Control

Crozer staff uses “pain assessment scales.” Pain scales help us determine how effectively we are managing your pain relief. The doctors and nurses will ask you to choose a number from 0 to 10 that best describes your pain. For example, 0 = no pain, 5 = distressing pain, and 10 = unbearable pain.

Or, you may be asked to choose a face from a scale that best describes how you feel. For example, a smiling face = no hurt; a crying face = it hurts the worst. Your doctors and nurses will ask you how the pain medicine is working and may change the medicine, its dose, or its timing if you are still having pain. Let us know how effectively we are managing your pain. Your doctors and nurses need your help to design the best plan for you.