title: Simple clinical targets associated with a high level of patient satisfaction with their pain management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to determine factors that are significantly associated with a high level of patient satisfaction with their pain management.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook an observational study in a large metropolitan ED. Adult patients with a triage pain score of ≥4 (0-10 scale) were enrolled. Data collected included demographics, presenting complaint, pain scores every 30 min, whether nurse-initiated analgesia was administered, the nature of the pain relief administered, time to first dose of analgesia, elements of staff communication and whether 'adequate analgesia' was provided (defined as a decrease in pain score to <4 and a decrease from the triage pain score of ≥2). The primary end-point, determined at follow up within 48 h, was the level of satisfaction with pain management (6-point scale: very unsatisfied-very satisfied).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and sixty-seven (82.7%) of 202 enrolled patients were followed up - mean (SD) age 46.4 (18.3) years, 75 (44.9%) men. Eighty-one (48.5%) patients were very satisfied with their pain management. Only two clinical variables were significantly associated with a high level of satisfaction: receipt of 'adequate analgesia' (as defined) and specific communication regarding pain management. Forty-four (58.7%) versus 37 (40.2%) patients who did/did not receive 'adequate analgesia', respectively, were very satisfied (difference 18.5%, 95% CI 2.3-34.7, P= 0.027). Seventy-seven (53.9%) and four (16.7%) patients who were/were not advised by ED staff that their pain management was important, respectively, were very satisfied (difference 37.2%, 95% CI 17.7-56.6, P= 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our 'adequate analgesia' definition might provide a useful clinical target, which, combined with adequate communication, might help maximize patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jao
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McD Taylor
authors.forename: Simone E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Munad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014218:Triage
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics