Pain severity is the key to emergency department patients' preferred frequency of pain assessment.
This study's objective was to ascertain emergency department (ED) patient preferences for pain assessment frequency. This was a prospective, convenience-sample trial of all-diagnosis adults with pain at least 3/10, in an academic ED (census 90 000). Using a computer-based automated pain tracker, patients entered initial pain level and indicated how frequently they wanted pain assessed. Automated pain tracker prompted patients to update pain levels and pain assessment frequency preferences. Regression was used to assess relationships between patient factors and the endpoint 'frequency of preferred pain assessment.' There was no association between initially suggested time interval (median, 15 min) and sex (P = 0.455), race (P = 0.976), age (P = 0.391), or in-room visitors (P = 0.956). Pain severity was associated with preference for more frequent pain assessment (P = 0.009). ED patients' preference for pain assessment is approximately 15 min, with more frequent intervals preferred when pain is severe.
Lozner
Alison W
AW
Department of Emergency Services, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Reisner
Andrew
A
Shear
Melissa L
ML
Patel
Sagar
S
Connolly
John
J
Shaltis
Phillip
P
Thomas
Stephen H
SH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D057240:Patient Preference; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult