Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Reaches Out to Reduce Burden of Chronic Pain on Patients, Community
Einstein Pain Institute Launches Community Physician Pain Partnership
Philadelphia, PA, April 5, 2006– Chronic pain is a serious public health problem. An estimated 50 million people suffer from chronic pain, using on average
twice as many healthcare resources as people who do not report suffering from chronic pain. In any two-week period, 13 percent
of U.S. workers experience reduced productivity due to chronic pain, costing businesses $61 billion a year. In light of this
epidemic, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) realized it needed to do more than simply add more services to help alleviate
the burden on patients, family and the community; it needed to partner with community physicians.
“Chronic pain is a growing burden on families and the community,” noted S. Nadeem Ahsan, MD, Director of the newly formed
Einstein Pain Institute (EPI), part of Einstein Healthcare Network. “Pain care should be well coordinated with the patients’
existing medical providers, and we want to educate the whole region about new standards and approaches to pain management.”
An innovative outreach program called the Community Physician Pain Partnership provides community-based physicians with educational
materials, tools for patient evaluation and tracking and access to expert consultants through EPI. The Institute brings under
one umbrella a wide range of existing resources within the network. The Institute also adds a few new resources, including
a state-of-the-art facility offering access to the most technologically advanced pain management modalities.
“Pain is a complex condition and each patient requires an individualized plan of care,” noted Michael F. Saulino, MD, PhD,
Clinical Director, Outpatient Services, MossRehab at Elkins Park, and a partner in EPI. “Relief of pain is only one component,
but more important is to enhance the patient’s function and productivity at home, at work and in life.”
“Einstein has all the components necessary to be a national center of excellence in pain management,” added Dr. Ahsan. “We
have world-class behavioral and rehabilitation services, and with EPI, we can offer state-of-the-art guidelines-driven pain
management.”
Dr. Ahsan, who will lead the team offering collaborative care and advanced interventional therapy, will also be overseeing
the educational programs related to pain management services offered to community physicians.
“EPI reflects a commitment to collaboration both within the network and between Einstein and the local physician community,”
noted Michael Vergare, MD, Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein Medical Center. “There are some powerful new
scientific approaches to alleviating pain, which we can now offer the community, but we all recognize how pain can have a
significant and debilitating effect on quality of life. The more we collaborate, the more likely patients are to return to
function and productivity.”
For more information on the Einstein Pain Institute, or the Community Physician Pain Partnership, please call 1-800-EINSTEIN
and ask for the Pain Institute.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein
Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab,
Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein
also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information, visit
www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Stephen Gary
Interim Communications Director
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6734
garys@einstein.edu
Publish date: April 5, 2006
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Einstein Pain Institute offers comprehensive, technologically advanced pain management services that look beyond simple pain
relief to enhance functionality and productive daily living.
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