Assessment of the effectiveness of pain management among trauma patients in the emergency department

Abstract

Background:In the emergency department (ED), pain is the most common complaint, especially among trauma patients. However, two-thirds of trauma patients are discharged from EDs with moderate to severe pain. Therefore, pain management is an important part of care in ED's trauma patients. Aim:To assess the effectiveness of pain management among trauma patients in the ED. Method:A retrospective cohort study that was conducted on adult trauma patients who attended the ED at King Abdulaziz medical city (KAMC) in Jeddah from the period (June 2016 to July 2018). The pain was measured twice, one before the intervention and one after intervention using a numeric pain scale. Data were collected from health information system (Best care®) and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results:The Mean difference between pain scores before and after pain management was one on a numeric pain scale with a P-Value 0.001. Initial pain assessment occurred only in 69% of our population, while assessment after intervention happened in 71% of patients. Patients who received appropriate medication were 36.7%. 35% of patients received opioids as an initial drug of pain management; only 8.8% of patients had pain scores more than 7 initially. The median between the time of arrival and the time of Initial Assessment is 19 mins. Conclusion:Pain management in ED needs improvement. Timeliness of pain management should be addressed.Evaluation and re-evaluation of pain before and after the intervention is insu cient. Trauma Patients don't receive effective pain management in the ED.