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References & Links

Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
www.jcaho.org

Also see Footnote at end of article.

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The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in its 2000-2001 Standards has a new standard that addresses the pain management of patients. JCAHO will not be scoring surveyed organizations on this standard in 2000, but will begin scoring on the standard at some future point. Healthcare organizations and occupational providers will need to evaluate their current practices and procedures regarding pain management. Acupuncture may be a viable and appropriate referral or addition to your practice to assist in your compliance with this new standard. In many states, workers’ compensation approves acupuncture treatment with a physician referral for a limited number of treatments (usually around ten, which is generally enough treatments to alleviate most patients’ pain).

The development of chronic pain conditions is as frustrating for the physician as it is for the patient; yet chronic pain is a condition that often eludes "western" medical treatments and is often a by-product of unsuccessful western medical care. Despite its long popularity and efficacy in non-western medical systems, acupuncture has not been readily embraced by physicians in the U.S. However, that is starting to change because of demands made by patients and a small but growing number of physicians (such as Dr. Kimpel) who are leading the way. Public support and empirical evidence for acupuncture have grown substantially within the U.S., and increasingly the U.S. medical community is coming to recognize its potential value. As providers are expected and required to better manage and alleviate patient pain, acupuncture will undoubtedly play an increasingly central role in both acute and chronic treatment modalities.

The new JCAHO pain management standard and intent statement follows:

Pain Management: Patients have the right to appropriate assessment and management of pain. Pain can be a common part of the patient experience; unrelieved pain has adverse physical and psychological effects. The patient’s right to pain management is respected and supported. The organization plans, supports, and coordinates activities and resources to assure the pain of all patients is recognized and addressed appropriately. This includes:

® Initial assessment and regular assessment for pain;

® Education of all relevant providers in pain assessment and management;

® Education of patients, and families, when appropriate, regarding their role in managing pain, as well as the potential limitations and side effects of pain treatments; and

® After considering personal, cultural, spiritual, and/or ethnic beliefs, communicating to patients and families that pain management is an important part of care.¹ 

1 © Joint Commission: 2000-2001 Standards for Ambulatory Care. Oakbrook Terrace, IL.: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, 2000, p.77. Reprinted with Permission.