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Free Trial of New Pain Assessment Technology
Free Trial of New Pain Assessment Technology
Public Health Information Services (PHIS), Inc., has announced
they are making their recently launched Pain Gauge available
to veterinarians on a two-week, free trial basis.
COLUMBUS, OHIO - June 24, 2004 - Public Health Information
Services (PHIS), Inc., has announced they are making their
recently launched Pain Gauge available to veterinarians on
a two-week, free trial basis. Consumers can sample the new
technology by leasing the devices on a month-to-month basis.
The first of its kind, the Pain Gauge is a compact computerized
device developed to provide an easy-to-use, objective tool
for assessing pain and stress in animals.
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The Pain Gauge in use
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The instrument was introduced by The Ohio State University
Professor of Veterinary Anesthesia, Dr. William W. Muir, III,
at the recent Assessment and Treatment of Pain and Distress
in Animals conference. According to Muir, “The Pain Gauge
measures electrodermal skin conductance, which is related
to stress in animals. Pain is one cause of stress in animals."
The Pain Gauge is equipped with customized sensors for use
on a variety of species. Touching a non-fur/hair area of the
body will generate a reading in one-second.
“The Pain Gauge assists veterinary practices in meeting American
Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) standards, which require
documentation of pain assessment and management on every animal
at every visit,” Benford stated. One highly-rated AAHA-accredited
practice, Animal Care Unlimited, has made the “Pain Score”
part of the patient’s permanent record. In addition, Dr. Donya
Dunlevy, a veterinarian with the practice states, “We have
sent it [the Pain Gauge] home with owners to monitor pain
in their animals, employed it to assess post-operative, hospitalized
patients, and included it during outpatient examinations .
. .. every patient that gets an exam will get a Pain Gauge
reading.”
The Pain Gauge also provides veterinary practices with a
new revenue-generating source. The simple-to-use devices can
be rented to pet owners on a per week basis. The Pain Gauges
should be made available to any owners dealing with pain-related
conditions including routine spays and neuters. According
to Benford, “All pet owners we surveyed said they would be
eager to rent the Pain Gauge if they thought it would help
them manage their pet’s pain.” Suggested rental rates range
from $15 to $25 per week. The device retails for $595 and
can be leased from the company directly for $89.95/mo.
For more information visit www.paingauge.com.
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