OPIOIDS
RECOVERING QUICKLY
The pain management team at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach includes, from left: Dr. Geoffrey Wolf; Sarah Mondano, BSN; Dr. Kathy Grichnik;
60
AND SAFELY
Louis Solomon, RN; Karen Scrivert, PharmD; Dr. George Nichols; and Brian Wiley, D.O.
Hospitals focus on pain management, fewer drugs,
for patient healing after illness, trauma and surgery
BY GREG GARDNER
Treasure Coast medical professionals are using
advanced pain management techniques to provide
better outcomes, much shorter hospital stays and
reduced risks of opioid addiction.
From Vero Beach to Stuart, pain management teams are
assessing what is the best treatment for each individual
patient with the goal of prescribing as little opioid medicine
as possible. This often begins before surgeries and is closely
monitored through the post-operation period.
Opioids are effective for relieving pain and are safe if taken
for short periods of time and prescribed by doctors. However,
regular use may lead to dependence, misuse, overdosing and
even death. They also have side effects that include nausea,
vomiting, irritability, anxiety and loss of breath.
Multimodal analgesia with several different approaches
gives the patients two or three medications in smaller doses
for healthier results without side effects. If the patients are
comfortable enough to be up and around after surgery,
healing happens faster when they breathe better with good
circulation.
“Pain management is a targeted approach crucial to treating
patients with acute illnesses, trauma and recent surgeries,”
explains Dr. Katherine Grichnik, senior vice president
and chief medical officer at Indian River Medical Center in
Vero Beach. “We have to think differently about trauma to
muscles, bones and nerves as well as severe pain caused by
cancer. IRMC has a robust pain team of eight to 10 people led
by our pharmacy, anesthesia and nursing departments using >>
Treasure Coast Medical Report