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Are emergency physicians too stingy with analgesics?
L M Lewis1, L C Lasater, C B Brooks
1St. Louis Emergency Physicians' Association Research Group, Mo.
Southern Medical Journal
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Emergency physicians inadequately manage pain for patients with acute fractures. Most patients did not receive adequate analgesia in the emergency department (ED), indicating a widespread issue needing urgent attention.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Pain Management
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Recent reports indicate insufficient analgesia for acute pain in emergency departments (EDs).
- Effective pain management is crucial for patient care and satisfaction in emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the extent of inadequate analgesia for acute fractures in the ED.
- To identify factors influencing analgesic dispensing practices for fracture patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 401 patients with acute fractures across eight EDs.
- Data collected on patient demographics, fracture site, ED setting, and analgesic administration.
Main Results:
- Only 30% (121/401) of patients received analgesics in the ED.
- No significant association found between analgesic use and patient age, fracture site, or ED setting.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate analgesic use for acute fractures in the ED is a widespread problem.
- Current practices highlight a critical need for improved pain management protocols in emergency care.