HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

55

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the development and implementation of a pain and palliative care policy.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, inadequate treatment of severe acute pain and severe chronic pain originating from cancer or noncancerous conditions is a significant health problem; and

 

     WHEREAS, for some patients, pain management is the single most important treatment a physician can provide; and

 

     WHEREAS, a patient who suffers from severe acute pain or severe chronic pain should have access to proper treatment of pain; and

 

     WHEREAS, due to the complexity of their problems, many patients who suffer from severe acute pain or severe chronic pain may require referral to a physician with expertise in the treatment of severe acute pain and severe chronic pain; and

 

     WHEREAS, in some cases, severe acute pain and severe chronic pain is best treated by a team of clinicians to address the associated physical, psychological, social, and vocational issues; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the hands of knowledgeable, ethical, and experienced pain management practitioners, opiates administered for severe acute pain or severe chronic pain can be safe; and

 

     WHEREAS, opiates may be part of an overall treatment plan for a patient in severe acute pain or severe chronic pain who has not obtained relief from any other means of pain management; now, therefore,
     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Hawaii State Board of Nursing is requested to develop and implement a pain and palliative care policy; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State Board of Nursing shall report to the Legislature on the development and implementation of a pain and palliative care policy no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Hawaii State Board of Nursing.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Pain Patient's Bill of Rights