Kivunhoitoyksikkö

Kivunhoitoyksikkö (pain management unit) is a hospital department, clinic, or ward dedicated to the assessment and treatment of pain, including acute pain after surgery, cancer-related pain, and chronic non-malignant pain. The aim is to alleviate suffering, improve physical function, and enhance quality of life through comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.

Organisation and staff: A kivunhoitoyksikkö typically operates within or alongside anesthesiology, internal medicine, or palliative care services. It brings together a multidisciplinary team that may include physicians specializing in pain medicine, specialized nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. The unit may provide inpatient observation, day procedures, and outpatient clinics.

Approaches and treatments: Care is individualized and multimodal. Pharmacological options range from non-opioid analgesics to opioids and adjuvants, selected to balance efficacy with safety. Interventional procedures such as nerve blocks or injection therapies may be offered where appropriate. Non-pharmacological strategies—physical therapy, exercise programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle counseling—are integral. The unit also coordinates with palliative care when pain is related to serious illness.

Outcomes and goals: Typical aims include reducing pain intensity, improving function and sleep, restoring daily activities, and supporting coping and mental well-being. Care is guided by evidence, patient preferences, and guidelines, with ongoing assessment using standardized pain scales and functional measures.

History and context: Pain management units emerged as part of broader efforts to address chronic and complex pain in healthcare systems. The exact structure and naming vary by country and institution, but the concept emphasizes multidisciplinary, coordinated care to address pain more effectively than single-discipline approaches.