Overview
The Division of Pain Management and Palliative Care provides care for children with acute pain, chronic pain and life-threatening illnesses. Pain is a complex and unique experience that affects all areas of a child or adolescent’s life. Whether the pain is caused by a chronic illness or has an unknown cause, it can impact relationships, school, mood, sleep, family life and everyday responsibilities.
Our Division brings together a multispecialty team of doctors, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, psychologists and social workers to meet the special needs of each child facing pain issues or a chronic illness.
SERVICES
Acute Pain Care
The MAGIK (Making Aches Go Away in Kids) Pain Service cares for more than 1,800 patients each year and provides in-hospital 24-hour pain management coverage, seven days per week.
The service works to prevent avoidable pain and minimize or alleviate discomfort in a safe environment. In addition to pain assessments, the team offers medication management, coordination of other therapies and integration with other specialties to achieve a comprehensive treatment plan.
Chronic Pain Care
The Pediatric Pain Management Clinic follows nearly 350 patients a year, providing assistance with complex and/or long-term pain issues. Along with assessment and management services, it offers individual and family therapy; breathing, relaxation and imagery training; counseling on parenting issues; education and coordination of care.
Palliative Care
Our Comfort and Palliative Care Team supports the primary care team for patients who have life-threatening illnesses, helping to holistically manage symptoms and support the emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being of the patient and family.
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RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Our Division provides extensive educational and administrative assistance to the hospital. We are actively involved in the education of residents, fellows, nurses, psychologists, social workers and spiritual care providers.
We also provide input or oversight on the development, implementation and ongoing assessment of all pain educational programs at the hospital, in order to minimize any discomfort and distress patients and families may experience.
In addition, we offer a lecture series for the pediatric and anesthesiology house staff, and are creating a hospital-wide pain management education standard, ranging from routine blood draws to end-of-life care.
Currently, our research interests include:
- Chronic pain
- Complementary and alternative medicine therapies, including acupuncture, massage therapy and biofeedback
- Health-related quality of life
- Sleep
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CONTACT US
Division of Pain Management
and Palliative Care
3rd and 4th Floor,
McAllister Building
4650 Sunset Blvd., MS #12
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-361-7686
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MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Giovanni Cucchiaro, MD
The Division of Pain Management and Palliative Care is led by Giovanni Cucchiaro, MD.
More on Dr. Cucchiaro
ACTIVE CLINICIANS
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