Pain resource nurses at Fox Chase Cancer Center seen as educators and advocates fo...( ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA For many oncology ...),Health

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA For many oncology patients pain disrupts their physical and emotional well-being. However, a recent Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey conducted at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pa., reported that patients do not rate pain as a concern; due to the expert treatment they already receive. Patients rated their satisfaction with current pain relief treatment within 99 percent. Kathleen MacDonald, RN, BSN, OCN, contributes such high scores to the role of the pain resource nurse (PRN) and shares her expertise at the 29th Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress.

"Pain resource nurses at Fox Chase are regarded as advocates and educators to patients, family members and physicians," said MacDonald. "Teaming up with the Press Ganey Associates, an independent and national leader in measuring patient satisfaction for the health-care industry, gives us patient-driven tools to guide us on how to best use our resources and where to concentrate our efforts."

According to MacDonald, PRNs possess extensive knowledge in pain and symptom management, which provide a better quality of life for patients. "Pain Resource Nurses provide patients and their families with a dedicated individual that is available to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said MacDonald. "To the patient this means comfort and allows them to get back to their normal self quicker."

The role of the Pain Resource Nurse is two fold. Acting primarily as an educator, the PRN provides effective pain and symptom management strategies and information not only to patients but their fellow oncology nurses. The PRN is a unit-based contact for other nurses and physicians. The PRN will spend one-on-one time with the patients to understand their history and current symptoms, making them aware and most familiar with what treatment is best for their pain.

The PRN works closely with the physician to make sure the appropriate pain medication is given. Serv
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Contact: Colleen Kirsch
colleen.kirsch@fccc.edu
215-728-7784
Fox Chase Cancer Center
27-Apr-2004

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