Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota named a 2013 Center of Excellence in Pain Management

MINNEAPOLIS, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota announced today it was named a 2013 Center of Excellence in Pain Management – a prestigious honor awarded by the American Pain Society – for its innovative and integrated approach to managing pain. The designation, which is presented annually to select hospitals across the country, recognizes state-of-the-art, patient-centered pain management programs that demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach and not only treat children's pain, but the whole patient, helping improve function and overall quality of life. 

Children's unique care model and innovative treatment options offered through its Department of Pain Medicine, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine positioned the hospital for this recognition. As one of the largest and longest-running programs of its kind, the pain and palliative care team at Children's works in collaboration with pediatric specialists. The team provides pain services in the interdisciplinary pain clinic to patients who are admitted to the hospital and those who are at home, and cares for children suffering from acute, chronic and end-of-life pain. The program specializes in providing individualized pain relief through a variety of treatment methods, including pharmacology and physical therapy, as well as integrative medicine techniques such as hypnosis, acupuncture and acupressure, aroma therapy and massage. Pain management education and patient/family counseling are also key elements that make up Children's holistic and integrated treatment approach.

"Children's is committed to delivering the most comprehensive, personalized solutions to alleviate and manage pain in our young patients," said Stefan Friedrichsdorf, MD, medical director of the department of pain medicine, palliative care and integrative medicine at Children's. "At Children's, everyone on the care team comes together to achieve one goal, improve the quality of lives of our patients and ultimately, help them feel like kids again."

Children's pain management program has also evolved into a national model for education and training, serving as a resource locally and across the region and country. Children's Institute for Pain and Palliative Care has provided training, education, and resources to more than 1,000 clinicians since its founding in 2005, including the annual Pediatric Pain Master Class.

About Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota:
Serving as Minnesota's children's hospital since 1924, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health care organizations in the United States, with 381 staffed beds at its two hospitals in St. Paul and Minneapolis. An independent, not-for-profit health care system, Children's of Minnesota provides care through more than 12,000 inpatient visits and more than 300,000 emergency room and other outpatient clinic visits every year. Children's is the only Minnesota hospital system to provide comprehensive care exclusively to children. Please visit childrensMN.org.

SOURCE Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota