Pain Management: The Fifth Vital Sign

Pain and its effects are so important to the health care process that recognizing pain and its causes, learning how to effectively treat pain, and understanding the effects of pain in the healing process are crucial for providing the best possible care for our patients. The key is to consider pain as “The Fifth Vital Sign”.

Learning Objective: To acknowledge the role of pain in the psychological and physical treatment of patients and recognize that pain management is the right of all patients

The Joint Commission Standards help today’s health practitioners acknowledge the role of pain management as it applies to the psychological and physical treatment of their patients. Hospitals, home health care agencies, nursing homes and other health care facilities must show their commitment to effective pain management.

After completing this training program, multi-disciplinary staff will be able to:

• Conduct an initial assessment and regular re-assessment of pain
• Utilize age-appropriate pain scales to help determine the intensity of pain
• Provide patient and family education regarding their roles in pain management
• Recognize barriers to effective pain management
• Identify methods of pain control to relieve and prevent pain
• Provide a pain management plan upon discharge

• New Employee Orientation
• Annual In-Service
• Mandatory Training
• Nursing Education
• Remedial/Risk Reduction Training
• Medical Staff

This program funded in-part through an unrestricted educational grant provided by

Partners in Care…Pain Management for Patient Education (Program Six)

12 minutes

This program discusses the patient's rights and responsibilities in providing effective pain management, and the benefits of preventing and relieving pain.