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What's Happening

Important Dates:  

3rd Annual Pain Conference information coming soon!

Noted Speakers:

Read about the 2008 Conference experience!

September 2008 Pain Conference Brochure (PDF)

 

Implementing the Plan:  

Strategic Planning:  We continue to work toward our 5-year goals and objectives that were put forth in our September 2007 strategic planning retreat (PDF).  We used our White Paper  (PDF) that was developed by the Montana Pain and Symptom Task Force and released for public input in April of 2007.  In April, 2008, MTPI distributed the White Paper to over 100 opinion leaders and stakeholders across the state.  

Download a Copy of the White Paper (PDF)
To request a hard copy Contact Us.

Recent Success:  

Pain Management Policy and Practice:  A Balanced Approach
September 5 & 6, 2008
- Read about
Pain Initiative’s Second Annual Conference held in September!

Pain Improvement Partnership  

In July, 2007, the MTPI received funding for an 8-month project through a partnership grant from the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives and Lance Armstrong Foundation to improve pain management policies and structure in long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and rural community hospitals.  We were pleased to have thirteen facilities participate by conducting a structural assessment, collecting patient surveys, and attending a 2-day workshop in November, 2007.  They implemented an action plan to improve pain management in their facility, and then returned for a 1-day workshop in March to present their experiences. Additionally, they reassessed their structure and patients.   

Pain management specialists from the University of Wisconsin conducted the training, which also highlighted local specialists both in pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management.   

Each facility will receive a report which describes the results of an analysis of their pre- and post-action plan data, as well as comparing them to other similar facilities that have participated in the program. This program has been a great success in moving facilities from education to practice behavior change. 

End Result:

They met and faced challenges, learned where gaps in patient care existed, and have created various structure and policy changes to improve pain management.  The investment in this program has been high, and all facilities indicated a desire to come together again in six months and share with each other their progress and challenges.