Patient preference for route of pain medication delivery.
We sought to determine Emergency Department (ED) patient preference for oral (p.o.), intramuscular (i.m.), or intravenous (i.v.) pain medication and patient expectations of time to medication effect by route. A prospective, observational study of 1276 patients presenting with painful illness or injury was performed in a university ED. Patient preferences were 66% p.o., 15% i.m., and 19% i.v. pain medication. Patients aged greater than 55 years were more likely to prefer parenteral medication than younger patients. Patients in severe pain were also more likely to prefer parenteral medication than those with less severe pain. Despite these differences, a majority of patients in all groups preferred oral medications. There were no differences in preference based on ethnicity or gender. Patient expectations for time to pain medication effect were 27 min p.o. (95% CI 26-28), 12 min i.m. (95% CI 11-13), and 7.5 min i.v. (95% CI 6.9-8.0).
Fosnocht
David E
DE
Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA.
Hollifield
Matthew B
MB
Swanson
Eric R
ER
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000700:Analgesics