U.S. News & World Report Rankings Place Ochsner in top 10 Percent of U.S. Hospitals
NEW ORLEANS - Everyone has experienced pain at one time or another, and Ochsner Medical Center holds the unique honor of being one of 17 U.S. hospitals, cited by US News & World Report, as the best in the nation for controlling patient pain. According to this most recent ranking, 71 percent of Ochsner patients reported that their pain was "always" well controlled, placing Ochsner in the top 10 percent in the nation.
"Patient care remains our top priority, as such, successfully managing pain across clinical, medical, and surgical departments is essential to doing all that we can to provide a positive outcome for all of our patients," says Tarun Jolly, M.D., Clinical Director of Ochsner Pain Management, Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, 2700 Napoleon Avenue. "We're very proud of this distinction."
Feelings of pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant and is typically divided into two categories: acute and chronic.
• Acute pain can begin suddenly and end just as suddenly and usually serves as a warning to the body. It can be caused by varying events such as surgery, broken bones, dental work, burns or cuts, or labor and childbirth. In most cases, it does not last longer than six months and it disappears when the underlying cause has been treated or has healed. Unrelieved acute pain, however, may lead to chronic pain.
• Chronic pain persists despite the fact that an injury has healed and can remain for weeks, months, or years. Physical effects include tense muscles, limited mobility, a lack of energy, and changes in appetite. Emotional effects include depression, anger, anxiety, and fear of re-injury. Common chronic pain complaints include: headache, low back pain, cancer pain, arthritis pain, and neurogenic pain (pain resulting from damage to nerves but having no visible sign of damage).
"One of the most common medical problems is back pain, which affects 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives," says Jolly. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. And, during the holiday season, travel, parties, shopping, holiday decorations, cooler weather and new toys, can cause aches and pains to flare up.
Ochsner Pain Management suggests the following tips to avoid back pain this holiday season:
• Ask for Help: Get extra help when cleaning the house, carrying packages or putting up lights and decorations.
• Stretch your Back: Stretching is important to avoid injuries as tightness can put a strain on the back muscles.
• Drink Water: Experts have linked dehydration to back pain. So, try to get eight, 8 ounce glasses each day.
• Prepare your body: Most people are not prepared for the increase in activity so stretching and more aerobic exercise can help prevent weight gain and relieve back pain.
• Wear Appropriate Shoes: Spending lots of time walking and standing in inappropriate shoes during holiday shopping and holiday parties can cause severe back pain due to a lack of proper support.
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