10. Pain Management in a Prehospital Emergency Setting: A Retrospective Observational Study

Pain Management in a Prehospital Emergency Setting: A Retrospective Observational Study

Download here 

CEUs: 2 Clinical

Average read time: 30 to 40 minutes

Short Summary of the Article:

The article titled “Pain Management in a Prehospital Emergency Setting: A Retrospective Observational Study” explores the challenges and effectiveness of pain management in prehospital settings, particularly focusing on pain assessment and treatment provided by nurse-staffed ambulances and medical cars in an Italian EMS system. It highlights that pain is often underassessed and undertreated, with almost 80% of patients experiencing pain not receiving pharmacological treatment. When treatment is provided, medications like fentanyl and paracetamol are commonly used, leading to significant reductions in pain levels. The article emphasizes the need for better adherence to treatment algorithms and more comprehensive pain reassessment in prehospital care.

Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of this activity, you should have an understanding of:

1. The Prevalence of Pain in Prehospital Settings: Pain is a frequent symptom in emergency care but often goes unassessed or undertreated.
2. Pharmacological Interventions for Pain Management: The use of opioids like fentanyl, and non-opioids like paracetamol, can significantly reduce pain, though adherence to protocols is inconsistent.
3. Challenges in Pain Management: Barriers such as incomplete pain assessments, reluctance to use opioids, and delayed treatments contribute to suboptimal pain management in prehospital environments.

(Max of 3 Attempts)