TJC Clarifies Statement on Pain Management

By Jonathan Springston, Associate Managing Editor, AHC Media

The Joint Commission (TJC) this week released a statement clarifying its position on pain management, underscoring its belief drugs are not always required to manage pain.

TJC believes hospitals should educate all licensed independent practitioners on assessing and managing pain, respect the patient's right to pain management, and assess and manage the patient's pain. TJC’s statement was an attempt to combat what it believes are misconceptions about its recommendations. Specifically, TJC says it does not require treatment until pain scores reach zero, that it doesn’t push doctors to prescribe opioids, and that its standards have not led to a dramatic increase in opioid prescriptions.

“In the environment of today’s prescription opioid epidemic, everyone is looking for someone to blame. Often, TJC’s pain standards take that blame. We are encouraging our critics to look at our exact standards, along with the historical context of our standards, to fully understand what our accredited organizations are required to do with regard to pain,” David W. Baker, MD, MPH, executive vice president, healthcare quality evaluation, TJC, said. “We believe that our standards, when read thoroughly and correctly interpreted, continue to encourage organizations to establish education programs, training, policies, and procedures that improve the assessment and treatment of pain without promoting the unnecessary or inappropriate use of opioids.”

AHC Media has produced thorough coverage of the opioid epidemic this year. The May issue of ED Management takes a closer look at the CDC’s new guidelines for opioid prescriptions. Additionally, the issue examines a plan in Massachusetts to develop an approach to screen for substance abuse, provide brief intervention, and arrange appropriate referrals for patients who have an active substance use disorder or are at risk for developing such a problem.