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 guiding and continually counseling 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.
40 years
Experience
Dr. Steve Drabek, MD
- Yukon, OK
- Univ of Ok Coll of Med, Oklahoma City Ok
- Accepting new patients
No results found
How can a patient be kept happy in a hospital environment?
I usually try to help motivate patients with sharing goals, they want to go home as soon as possible. One way to do this is to tell them how to get home faster. I would explain READ MORE
I usually try to help motivate patients with sharing goals, they want to go home as soon as possible. One way to do this is to tell them how to get home faster. I would explain to them that the best way to get home is to cause more trouble at the nurses station. Trouble does not mean anything more than getting out of bed and walking. The key to getting out if lung infection is do all you can to clear up the infection. We right orders for the nursing staff to have patients cough and deep breath but the best way to clear the lungs is to walk and walk as much as possible. That would not be possible if your mother is in isolation because of the infection but walking makes you breath deep and usually cough as well. Walking is a challenge but how often would you just deep breath if you stay in bed?? Walking also helps prevent lung infections so its good to keep you out of hospitals as well.
My father is 78 years old and has been detected with colon cancer. Given his age, we are not sure what's next.
Ask your father first and see oncologist that you can communicate with and determine treatment plan and potential side effects and risk. Let your father tell you what his desires READ MORE
Ask your father first and see oncologist that you can communicate with and determine treatment plan and potential side effects and risk. Let your father tell you what his desires and wishes are to move forward.
Liver cancer
Yes it's a progressive disease that would benefit from hospice services for comfort and guidance based on his goals of care.
My father is bed ridden and going to the bathroom a lot. What should we do?
Talk to a hospice for the information about his care.
Under what circumstances does the hospital turn off the ventilator for a patient?
If your father has an advanced directive and DNR in place. You need to be his health care proxy to make decisions for him since he is not able when on ventilator. Hopefully his READ MORE
If your father has an advanced directive and DNR in place. You need to be his health care proxy to make decisions for him since he is not able when on ventilator. Hopefully his advanced directive states his desires. It is also important that all family members present are in agreement. You must be logical and have a straightforward discussion with the Dr. in charge of his care and try to avoid becoming emotional or aggravated. As I always told families the removal of life support is the most compassionate and loving thing to do for your father at that stage. Good Luck.
Final exhales?
The key to the scenario you described is the fact that all indications were pain and suffering disappearing. This sounds fairly normal for end of life. I refer to it as a celestial READ MORE
The key to the scenario you described is the fact that all indications were pain and suffering disappearing. This sounds fairly normal for end of life. I refer to it as a celestial discharge.
What does hospice do for liver failure?
Comfort and support in the home where most patients prefer to remain.
What is most important in hospice and palliative care?
Comfort and controlling your own care where you want to be which mostly is home.
Can hospice care be done at home?
98% Hospice is in the home.
My father has been given 6 months to live. Can a palliative care specialist or end of life care specialist counsel my mother?
That is precisely what Hospice is all about, which is counseling all family members. Seek out a hospice in your city to set up services and keep him at home.
Is hospice appropriate for dementia?
Dementia is an appropriate hospice condition, but it is dependent on what stage of dementia based upon what’s called a fast score.
What treatments are available for the elderly?
Hospice is end of life care maintaining comfort for physical, emotional and spiritual pain to the very end.
How to help someone in hospice?
Visit them as frequently as possible because people at the end of life need companion presence.
Does palliative radiotherapy prolong life?
No it’s primarily for pain reduction.
How long do you stay in the hospital after a kidney biopsy?
It is frequently done as an outpatient
What type of anesthesia is used for hospice procedures?
Anesthesia is not a hospice option.
Do hospices provide the best care for the dying?
Absolutely the best.
Can you live normal life after radiotherapy?
Too many factors need to be considered, so it is best to ask your radiation oncologist about them.
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.
