Assessment of the Pain Management Practice in Tash Adult Emergency Department
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Date
2014-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Up to 70% of patients who present to the emergency department (ED) have
underlying pain as a reason to seek help. Knowledge on pain management practice in the ED is
lacking.
Objective of the Study: The general objective of this study is to assess the practice of pain
management in TASH adult ED. Specific objectives;
1) Determine the socio-demographics of patients in pain
2) Determine the initial and subsequent severity of pain
3) Identify factors affecting analgesics(s) administration
Methodologies: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 123 patients with
moderate to severe pain presenting to TASH adult ED. A numerical pain rating scale was used to
determine pain severity at two phases: initially at triage and after arrival into ED.
Result: Out of 123 patients enrolled in the study were male (67.5%) with the median age of
32(min 14, max 90). Majority of patients were trauma accounting (59.3%) of all patients. Initial
mean pain score was 7.7 and 79.7% of patients remained in moderate to severe pain despite
initial physician evaluation and initiation of orders. Moreover for 39% of patients the pain either
did not change (30.8%) or increased in intensity (8%) despite initial treatment. For 56.9% of
patients analgesics were given, of which Tramadol was the commonest drug used (47.8%).
Although 81.5% said they needed additional potent analgesics to be given, there was a record of
higher satisfaction rate on overall pain management.
Conclusion: Initial high intensity of pain was documented and these are poorly recognized and
majorities were left inadequately treated.
Limitation: The study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital ED, which makes it less
representative of the common encounter in community hospital in the country.
Key words: Emergency department, pain, pain management, TASH
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Keywords
Emergency department; Pain; Pain management; TASH.