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Musculoskeletal pain management in the Emergency Department

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Published: Mar 18, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/healthresj.23061
Keywords:
Μusculoskeletal pain emergency department analgesia oligoanalgesia acute pain pain management
Kyriaki Seremeti
RN, MSc, Emergency Department, General Hospital “Konstantopouleio”, Athens
George Vasilopoulos
RN, MSc, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of West Attica
Georgia Toylia
RN, MSc, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of West Attica
Olga Kadda
RN, MSC, MHSA(c), PhD, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center
Ioannis Sapountzis
RN, Head Nurse of Neurosurgical Dept, General Hospital “G. Gennimatas”, Athens
Evangelia Kourousi
RN, MSc, Emergency Department, General Hospital “Konstantopouleio”, Athens
Dimitra Karimali
RN, MS (c), Emergency Department, General Hospital “Kontantopouleio”, Athens
Antonia Kalogianni
RN, MSc, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens
Meletis Rozis
MD, Orthopaedic Resident, 3rd Orthopaedic Clinic, University of Athens, KAT Hospital, Athens
Abstract

Introduction: The intensity of acute musculoskeletal pain is underestimated by health providers. Analgesia in adults that receive treatment for acute musculoskeletal pain varies from 11-29%. The timely and effective treatment of pain should become priority for the adequate pain management.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore musculoskeletal pain management in the emergency department (ED).

Material and Method: This is a descriptive study. The studied sample consisted of 82 patients, who admitted in the ED of Athen’s general hospital, due to acute musculoskeletal pain. For data collection, a special designed registration form was used. Related measurements were completed at two time points; the first time point was during patients’ admission to ED and the second one, 30 minutes post treatment or post ED discharge.

Results: Patients average pain score was 7.25 ± 1.85 (first time point) and 3.76 ± 2.66 (second time point). Analgesia was provided to 51.2% of the sample and non-invasive methods were used in 51.2%. As for the frequency of the administrated drugs, analgesics were mostly preferred (29.3%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at 25.6% and opioids were used only at 9.8%. The mean time to first anministrated analgesic therapy was 16.56 ± 32.89 min.

Conclusions: In spite of the extensive research and international guidelines for pain management, the fulfillment of the patients’ expectations for adequate and timely relief remains a challenge. The key for successful pain management lies to further education of medical stuff.

 

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