Do You Know Your - "PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS"?

Yes my darlings,  You DO have rights as a patient...  Hell, as a human being to NOT Live in Pain!

I found an online copy of this document. This can be vital information for you to have to help insure that you will receive the quality medical care that we all deserve.
So save this information & print it out or retype it and take it with you to your appointments.
And if your doctor or a healthcare worker ever tries to tell you, "Oh well, we all have to put up with or live in a little pain now and then".
Well, now you can calmly and confidently show them this document:
YOUR -- Patient 'Pain Care' Bill of Rights and inform them that you have done research on the subject and found that you Do Not have to Live with or Live in, pain ever again...

Pain Care Bill of Rights
As a person with pain, you have the right to:

• Have your report of pain taken seriously and to be treated with dignity and respect by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and other healthcare professionals.

• Have your pain thoroughly assessed and promptly treated.

• Participate actively in decisions about how to manage your pain.

• Be informed and know your options: talk with your healthcare provider about your pain - possible cause(s), treatment options, and the benefits, risks and costs of each choice.

• Have your pain reassessed regularly and your treatment adjusted if your pain has not been eased.

• Be referred to a pain specialist if your pain persists.

• Get clear and prompt answers to your questions, take time to make decisions, and refuse a particular type of treatment if you choose.
--These are the rights you should expect for your pain care.

*Helpful Hints on Your Road to Pain Relief*
Managing your pain is an important step to reclaim your life.

--The earlier you seek treatment, the better.

• Only YOU know the extent of your pain and how it affects your quality of life.  DO NOT be afraid to speak up!

• Remember, there are a variety of drug and non-drug therapies (physical therapy, yoga, meditation) available to effectively control pain; these are typically used in combination with medications.

• Knowledge IS power. Many people living with pain and even some healthcare providers believe that opioid medications are addictive. The truth IS that when properly prescribed by a healthcare professional and taken as directed, these medications give relief - not a “high.”

• Tell your provider what over-the-counter medications, vitamins and supplements you take, at what dose and how often. Also let him or her know about other personal health habits (smoking tobacco, alcohol use), which can interfere with some pain treatments and increase pain levels.

• Keep a pain journal to record the frequency and intensity of your pain. Use descriptive words, such as sharp, crushing, dull, aching, stabbing, shooting or tender. Also, take note of how well your treatment plan is working and what makes your pain worse or better.

• Write down questions you have before each appointment. Bring a relative or friend with you for support and to help take notes and remember what was said.

• Research available support groups and educational programs.

Hope some of this information will be helpful to someone...
If anyone reading this has any questions, concerns or would like an advocate to talk with...
feel free to contact me - leave a comment & I will get back to you and try to help in any way that I can.
Love & Blessings,
--snookiecollins

American Pain Foundation
201 N. Charles Street, Suite 710
Baltimore, MD 21201-4111
Toll-free information line: 888-615-7246
http://www.painfoundation.org/
© 2003, 2007 American Pain Foundation

Top Ten Tips for Finding Quality Health Information Online

Ok, so to start out with here is one article I found that lists some of your basic general health sites.
These ones are your "tried & true" credible and reliable Websites.

People with disability or chronic illness are more likely than Internet users with no chronic conditions to look online for information about various health topics. (according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project).
AND... Those with chronic conditions (*including yours truly*) report that the online searches/results actually affected the decisions they made about their treatment, interactions with their doctors, the ability to cope with their condition and their dieting and fitness regimen.

But PLEASE, keep this in mind...
When using the information found on the Internet to make decisions about your medical care. Double & Triple CHECK the validity of all info.
It is best to use your online research to educate yourself and be a more informed patient when working with your healthcare providers to determine the best treatment for you.

AND VERY IMPORTANT: Please know that *YOU* have the final say in whether you agree with the treatment you are going to receive. (Medications are included in this).
--More on this in a later post, because this IS a very important issue regarding healthcare & your patient rights!--

Click on the LINK below to go to the article and the Health Websites.

As always, Love & Blessings to ALL!
--snookiecollins

Top Ten Tips for Finding Quality Health Information Online

APF Position Statement on Reformulated Oxycontin

I found this today on the American Pain Foundations Website. (AFP - of which I am also a member)
painfoundation.org

I think this is a wonderful article and wish more doctors, nurses and healthcare workers would really take the time to read (study & research) different "Pain" related foundations, their websites and all the great information, articles, personal life stories, etc. that are included on them.

Chronic Pain is an extremely disabling condition/disease in and of itself.

Here are a few stats for ya...
76.5 MILLION Americans suffer with/from chronic pain.
Chronic pain affects more than diabetes, heart disease and AND cancer combined.

It is so unfair that patients in LEGIT pain should have to suffer from under-treatment because of a few "bad apples" in the bunch (so to speak)...
*she sighs*
well anyways, here is the LINK to that article/website (below).
and I will be posting more PAIN related websites, links, foundations, etc. later this evening - so be sure and check back.

Love & Blessings to ALL...
--snookiecollins

APF Position Statement on Reformulated Oxycontin