Evaluation of pain in ICU patients

Evaluation of pain in ICU patients. CHEST vol 135(4), April 2009, p.1069-1074 [journal article].

Puntillo, K., Pasero, C., Li, D., Mularski, R.A., Grap, J.M., Erstad, B.L., Varkey, B., Gilbert, H.C., Medina, J. Sessler, C.N.

http://www.chestjournal.org/content/135/4/1069.short?rss=1

Pain is a common and distressing symptom in ICU patients. Yet a major challenge exists in assessing and evaluating the pain. Although the patient's self-report of pain is the "gold standard" for pain assessment, other methods must be considered when patients are unable
to self-report.

Pain management principles in the critically ill

Pain management principles in the critically ill. CHEST vol. 135(4), April 2009, p.1075-1086. [journal article]

Erstad, B.L., Puntillo, K., Gilbert. H.C., Grap, M.J., Li, D., Medina, J., Mularski, R.A. Pasero, C., Varkey, B., Sessler, C.N.

http://www.chestjournal.org/content/135/4/1075.short?rss=1

This article addresses conventional pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of pain in patients in ICUs.

Pain management within the palliative and end-of-life care experience in the ICU.

CHEST vol 135(5), May 2009, p1360-1369 [journal article]. Pain management within the palliative and end-of-life care experience in the ICU.

Mularski, R. A., Puntillo, K., Varkey, B., Erstad, B. L., Grap, M. J., Gilbert, H. C., Li, D., Medina,
J., Pasero, C., Sessler, C. N.

http://www.chestjournal.org/content/135/5/1360.full.pdf+html

High-quality pain management is a part of optimal therapy and requires knowledge and skill in
pharmacologic, behavioral, social, and communication strategies grounded in the holistic palliative care approach. This contemporary review article focuses on pain management within comprehensive palliative and end-of-life care.