If the resident has experienced any pain at all during the 7 day window, you need to code it on the MDS. Even though the prn helped, the resident still experienced pain, so it needs to be coded. Then determine how often this happens and decide if it would be better to get the resident on a regular pain med. If it is only occasional pain, prns are given but the resident would have pain before the med is given. That is why expecting a facility to have a zero on the pain QI is not realistic, IMO.
-----Original Message----- From: Michelle Witges <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Mar 9, 2004 6:45 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Pain on QIs I thought I understood the pain section, but in reading this, I am confused again. If a resident is not on a routine pain med but just PRN, if they ask for the med and it releives the pain, I am not to code pain? From the response below that it is how I am understanding it. I know that if they are on pain management and have breakthrough pain that it is coded. I am so confused. Michelle ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, March 08, 2004 1:31 PM Subject: Re: Pain on QIs > Remember, if you are in a facility where the medical staff opt to use prn medication instead of the WHO "by the clock, by the mouth, by the pill" method, then you will have a higher rate. > > Also, some facilities are incorrectly interpreting the statement "if the medication makes the resident pain-free then code "0"" to mean if the prn works code 0. > > > /---------------------------------------------------------- > The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the > American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators > "Committed to the Assessment Professional" > Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your > questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. > For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org > -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/ /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
