Team member roles identified in new 2015 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Pain management responsibilities for veterinarians
> Assess pain in every patient regardless of appointment type (e.g., wellness, sick, follow up)
> Develop standard operating procedures for the practice to prevent pain, including the following:
• Weight optimization and prevention of dental disease
• Handling and hospitalization to prevent fear and pain
• PLATTER (see Figure 1 in the guidelines here) to follow up and modify plan
> Provide staff education on:
• Effective client communication and education
• Preventive pain strategies
• Recognition and assessment of pain
• Drug interactions and adverse effects
Pain management responsibilities for veterinary technicians
> Obtain medication history
> Anticipate painful procedures
> Recognize signs of pain and alert veterinarian
> Treat as directed by a veterinarian and update records
> Assess postoperative patients and record pain score
> Assess chronic-pain patients and record pain score
> Maintain effective client communication and education
Pain management responsibilities for patient-care personnel
> Prior to veterinary examination:
• Note any possible causes of pain
• Note any behavioral changes
> During the examination:
• Proper handling
• Other stress/anxiety-relieving techniques
> Following the examination:
• Monitor patient's behavior
• Contact client about questions or concerns
• Set follow-up appointment
> Housing should be stress/anxiety-relieving
The guidelines also point to the importance of having a patient advocate for each hospitalized animal to enable accurate and individualized evaluation of the patient and ensure successful treatment.
