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Burdenbearer Asked April 2014

How to get Dr. to follow the DNR Health directive over pain management?

Mom, 87, had severe fall. Now her future apparently will have pain she will never be free of. Dr. is giving her the minimum medication even though her Health Directive states clearly that if she needs pain managed she is to be given as much as it takes to keep her out of pain, even if it hastens her death.

She is now in a Rehab Facility with us begging them to get the Dr to increase her pain meds. She is crying constantly and in intense pain, begging to die. We are new to this stressful task. What steps do we take?

JessieBelle Apr 2014
It is an excellent idea to have her evaluated by hospice if there is no chance that she will recover. Hospice will only come in under certain conditions. You can talk to your mother's doctor to see if he/she think it is a good choice to bring them in. Hospice is for palliative care, which includes pain management. The thing about hospice is that people are not intended to get better. They are an organization with the goal of keeping people comfortable during their last months on earth.

pamstegma Apr 2014
Bring in Hospice. The MD's hands are tied by the DEA regulations on pain meds. Hospice can get her whatever she needs.

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blannie Apr 2014
Is it the facility doctor or her personal doctor who is under-prescribing pain meds? If it's the facility doctor, I'd try to get mom's personal doctor to intervene and I'd go to the facility's ombudsman/social worker to plead my case. And I'd look to get a new doctor if the current doctor won't budge. Another idea is to call in hospice and let their doctor prescribe the necessary pain meds, but that might not be possible in rehab, since they obviously think she can get better. I'm so sorry you have to go through this! I'm sure you'll get lots of good answers about what to do.

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