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Emergency nurses' knowledge of pain management principles
1Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill., USA. ptanabe@nmh.org
Journal of Emergency Nursing
|August 15, 2000
Summary
Emergency nurses show knowledge gaps in pain management, particularly concerning addiction and pharmacologic principles. Key barriers include diagnostic delays for medication and inadequate pain assessment.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Emergency Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Pain management is a critical aspect of emergency nursing care.
- Identifying knowledge deficits and practice barriers is essential for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess emergency nurses' knowledge deficits in pain management.
- To identify perceived barriers affecting pain management practices.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous mail survey distributed to Illinois Emergency Nurses Association members (n=1000).
- A 52-item questionnaire assessed knowledge of pain management principles and rated barriers to practice.
Main Results:
- A significant knowledge deficit was found in understanding addiction, tolerance, dependence, and pharmacologic analgesic principles.
- Higher scores were associated with advanced degrees or attendance at pain management seminars.
- Primary barriers included medication administration delays pending diagnosis (53%) and inadequate pain assessment (48%).
Conclusions:
- Emergency nurses demonstrate a need for improved understanding of pain management, including pharmacologic strategies and addiction-related concepts.
- Addressing identified barriers is crucial for enhancing pain management efficacy in emergency settings.