EXPERT
Dr. Steve Drabek, MD
Hospice and Palliative Care Specialist
Dr. Steve Drabek has been practicing Pain Medicine in the Central Oklahoma area. Pain medicine is concerned with managing chronic and intractable painful conditions using medications. First, an extensive medical and surgical history must be collected to evaluate, treat, and educate patients experiencing chronic painful conditions. Pain medicine physicians utilize a broad-based approach to treat chronic pain disorders. Chronic pain syndromes range from pain as a symptom of many different disease processes associated with the pathophysiology of organ systems to pain as the primary irreversible condition that develops with time, trauma, and sometimes surgical procedures. As a consultant for other physicians, Dr. Drabek often becomes the treating physician for the medical management of painful conditions. These chronic painful conditions are intractable and irreversible processes resulting in chronic pain. Provided care at many levels, treating these patients directly, prescribing medication, sometimes prescribing rehabilitative services utilizing physical therapy and occupational therapy, and sometimes referring to interventional pain physicians who can perform pain relieving procedures. Pain management care is to guide and continually counsel patients and their families. Ideally, a multidisciplinary approach should be used to coordinate care with other healthcare providers and provide patient counseling services and guidance.
Daily activity is vital to most painful conditions. Although it is sometimes difficult, it is almost always helpful. The most basic activity is walking daily. His personal development of chronic pain syndrome in the mid-1990s has driven his interest in chronic pain treatment. Being involved with Hospice for 34 years was a significant contribution as well, where terminal patients deserve pain control, especially in their final days of life. Learning pain management from the bedside with hospice nurses, establishing consistency in dosing medications, and not taking them on an as-needed basis is the key. Don't let the medication get out of their system, but remain steady based on the pharmacology and metabolism of the medication. Treatment of Chronic Pain syndromes is to this day not taught in basic medical education, especially with so many advances in disease treatment.
Daily activity is vital to most painful conditions. Although it is sometimes difficult, it is almost always helpful. The most basic activity is walking daily. His personal development of chronic pain syndrome in the mid-1990s has driven his interest in chronic pain treatment. Being involved with Hospice for 34 years was a significant contribution as well, where terminal patients deserve pain control, especially in their final days of life. Learning pain management from the bedside with hospice nurses, establishing consistency in dosing medications, and not taking them on an as-needed basis is the key. Don't let the medication get out of their system, but remain steady based on the pharmacology and metabolism of the medication. Treatment of Chronic Pain syndromes is to this day not taught in basic medical education, especially with so many advances in disease treatment.
41 years
Experience
Dr. Steve Drabek, MD
- Yukon, OK
- Univ of Ok Coll of Med, Oklahoma City Ok
- Not accepting new patients
No results found
Monitoring O2?
Oxygen desaturation the way it is monitored at home is only checking the oxygen saturation of the finger or sometimes the earlobe. This is a natural process with the diseases you READ MORE
Oxygen desaturation the way it is monitored at home is only checking the oxygen saturation of the finger or sometimes the earlobe. This is a natural process with the diseases you describe and wearing oxygen is very uncomfortable for your family member. This is the reason you will frequently find it being removed by the patient. if they are comfortable, you’re going to run yourself ragged trying to chase this because it will continue to decline with the disease processes.
Can you get physiotherapy on hospice?
Usually not just comfort and supportive care is provided.
Is physical therapy good for hospice patients?
It is not effective for end of life care.
Too weak for treatment?
Hospice is best thing at the point you describe for comfort care.
Why does my mother lose her identity at night?
It’s referred to as sundowning and common
What are the best care options for older adults with Parkinson's?
Care continuity and care with physician you trust and you can talk with about condition.
How can you tell the difference between a malignant and benign tumor?
Microscopic analysis by qualified pathologist.
Are there warning signs days before a stroke?
No none usually.
How are bed sores treated in the elderly?
There are a number of key things to prevent bedsores. First, taking pressure off the area, which at the end of life is often impossible, but rolling off of the area can help. READ MORE
There are a number of key things to prevent bedsores. First, taking pressure off the area, which at the end of life is often impossible, but rolling off of the area can help. Optimal nutrition is critical yet sometimes not practical. Circulating air allowing the area to dry is important as well. You did not mention your grandfather's age, but age plays a role in a person's ability to do what they desire. Hospice is a service for end-of-life care that provides support for the patient's goal of care, which should be honored. Hospice also helps the family deal with complex issues such as bedsores, which are a challenging problem that responds poorly to traditional medical approaches due to the unfortunate realities of life being a finite time frame. Goals of comfort being emphasized at that stage of a patient's life are critical, as well as dignity and peace. With advanced age, many body systems could be better, but support from family is vital. I encourage you to enjoy being with him and talk about happier times and experiences. Sharing time and presence with your grandfather will bring him joy and emotional comfort. Explore hospice as an option and discuss it with your family, and think about what your grandfather would tell you, what he would want you to do, or what you would like if you were in a similar situation. Also, don't fear death if he is suffering with no likelihood of improving his pain, and suffering goes away with the final transition. God bless and guide you in this decision, which is all too often faced in our society.
Do hospice patients get pain management?
Absolutely, they should, and often, that is the primary goal to lessen their pain. Pain control is sometimes a challenge but can be accomplished with oral medications in the home READ MORE
Absolutely, they should, and often, that is the primary goal to lessen their pain. Pain control is sometimes a challenge but can be accomplished with oral medications in the home by a skilled provider and nurse at the bedside. Hospice pays for all medications related to the primary hospice diagnosis, and it is delivered, taking great burden off of the patient and family.
What are the chances of surviving hospice?
Hospice is for the terminally ill to allow family and friends an opportunity to spend time with them. Sitting with them or doing with them whatever brings them joy.
How long can you live with liver cirrhosis?
There are too many variables with organ failure, and with the liver, patients often develop encephalopathy, which is talking out of their head. So I would recommend you spend READ MORE
There are too many variables with organ failure, and with the liver, patients often develop encephalopathy, which is talking out of their head. So I would recommend you spend time with them and visit when able. Talk about fun times from their past and enjoy the time to help them enjoy the time that your friend has left before passing.
My grandma just entered hospice care. How can I help?
Spend as much time with your grandmother and mostly listen and talk to her about her life or anything else you can.
Can you suggest some home care palliative tips for patient suffering from lung cancer?
I would suggest you contact a local hospice. We treat symptoms to improve quality of life, which allows time for family and friends to spend with the patient doing what they would READ MORE
I would suggest you contact a local hospice. We treat symptoms to improve quality of life, which allows time for family and friends to spend with the patient doing what they would like to do. Sometimes, it shows them you care by being present, and they are not alone in their final days. Talking about the past and laughing is always good, in my opinion.
What treatments are done for the elderly in palliative care?
Palliative Care is about quality of life, and the physician and/or nurse should focus on relieving suffering as best they can. Usually, it is about controlling pain and difficult READ MORE
Palliative Care is about quality of life, and the physician and/or nurse should focus on relieving suffering as best they can. Usually, it is about controlling pain and difficult symptoms.
What is the nurse's role in end-of-life care?
Nurses are the backbone of Hospice Care. They often have a personal reason or experience for doing that job. Hospice nurses have seen many unusual, interesting, and strange things. READ MORE
Nurses are the backbone of Hospice Care. They often have a personal reason or experience for doing that job. Hospice nurses have seen many unusual, interesting, and strange things. Embrace hospice nurses because they develop close relationships with patients and families. They become like extended family with a very caring relationship with all parties involved with the End-of-Life experience.
How many times can you visit someone in the hospice?
Visiting hospice patients depends on an individual preference, but usually, I encourage families and friends to visit to ensure the person is not left alone. It can be a blessing READ MORE
Visiting hospice patients depends on an individual preference, but usually, I encourage families and friends to visit to ensure the person is not left alone. It can be a blessing to visit hospice patients to both the patient and the visitor. It also depends on where the patient is, which most often is their home. Hospice and the process of dying are things we think about. "What would I want in my final days?" and loneliness, if one is alert and aware of one's environment, is important to consider. Even when not responsive, talking to the patient can be important, because they seem to feel your presence at times. Talking to other visitors present and sharing stories about the past is a good thing to do because energy is often lacking for the patient, but hearing and listening takes no energy, so watching for facial expressions when speaking about a funny past event you may have shared can bring a slight grin or a moan of agreement indicating their presence at a different level most of us will understand and indicate your personal benefiting contribution. Also, a silent presence brings the patient pleasure and reassurance. The bottom line is that there is no set answer; it should be based on the individual preferences of patients and visitors. I always enjoyed laughter, and I never left a visit with a situation that made laughter a sad event. Sometimes, I was the reason for laughter, sometimes even the butt of the joke.
What types of treatments are done in hospice?
Hospice concentrates on comfort and symptom management for quality of life. Usually not formal disease treatments since it has become end of life care.
Is hospice care at home?
The most common site for hospice is the home. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz was correct: "There is no place like home." This allows for familiar surroundings like family, your READ MORE
The most common site for hospice is the home. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz was correct: "There is no place like home." This allows for familiar surroundings like family, your own bed, pets, and friends. A skilled physician with medication management should be good at pain control with oral meds and able to maintain comfort quite well. Some areas have inpatient hospices, but those are for out-of-control symptom management or when it gets down to the final few hours or days of the person's life.
