Assessment of pain in the transport environment: a review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Critically ill or injured patients who are transported experience pain. Pain is associated with multiple adverse affects including tachycardia, hypertension, anxiety, elevated blood glucose levels, and diaphoresis.


METHODS
Using multiple search terms, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and MEDLINE databases as well as pertinent Web sites were searched for relevant information.


RESULTS
An important component of pain management is pain assessment, yet little empirically based literature is available regarding pain assessment for patients who are transported.


CONCLUSIONS
The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the transport nursing environment and barriers to pain assessment during transport.
Fast
Margaret
M
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich, USA. mfast@umich.edu
Newton
Sarah
S
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003144:Communication Barriers; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D012307:Risk Factors; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration*