Ongoing visual analog score display improves Emergency Department pain care

The study purpose was to test two methods of pain assessment and display: ongoing (11 times over 2 h) visual analog scale (VAS) determination with data tabulation in the ED chart (Tabulation group), and similar VAS assessments with display of the information at the head of the ED bed (Graph group). A Control group had initial and 2-h VAS ascertainments charted (not graphed). Tertiary-care university-affiliated ED patients were randomized into the three groups and pain care outcomes assessed. Compared to Controls, those in the Graph group had the following findings (p < 0.05): 1) treating physicians more likely aware of initial and final VAS scores, 2) earlier analgesia, 3) likelier perception (by patients and physicians) that VAS was useful and likelier patient perception that pain care was adequate. Tabulation group results were intermediate to those of Control and Graph patients. The data support further investigation of VAS display as a means of improving ED pain assessment.