Carl Magnusson1, Marie Carlström2, Nathalie Lidman2, Johan Herlitz3, Pär Wennberg4, Christer Axelsson1. 1. Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Prehospen - Centre for Prehospital Research, University of Borås, Sweden; Department of Prehospital Emergency Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. 2. Department of Prehospital Emergency Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. 3. Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Prehospen - Centre for Prehospital Research, University of Borås, Sweden. Electronic address: johan.herlitz@hb.se. 4. Prehospen - Centre for Prehospital Research, University of Borås, Sweden; Research and Development Centre, Skaraborg Hospital, Skövde, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A large proportion of patients who call 112 in Sweden do so because of pain. The purpose of this study was to compare three of the most common types of pain presented by the patients: chest pain, abdominal pain and hip injury, in terms of initial assessment, intensity, treatment and effect of treatment. The overall rationale was to evaluate whether the early assessment and treatment of pain in the pre-hospital setting is optimal or whether there is room for improvement. METHODS: Observational study during 2016 including 1234 patients triaged to chest pain, abdominal pain and hip injury by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Gothenburg, Sweden. RESULTS: Severe pain on the arrival of the EMS was described by 39% of patients with a hip injury, 27% with abdominal pain and 15% with chest pain. Analgesics were given to 58% of patients with a hip injury, 35% with chest pain and 34% with abdominal pain. A lower intensity of pain at re-evaluation was observed in 80% of patients with a hip injury, 57% with chest pain and 43% with abdominal pain. Administration of analgesics increased with the duration of pre-hospital care time in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a hip injury had the most severe pain and they received most pain-relieving medication. Overall, a relatively small proportion of patients with pain received pain-relieving medication and there appears to be an extensive room for improvement.
BACKGROUND: A large proportion of patients who call 112 in Sweden do so because of pain. The purpose of this study was to compare three of the most common types of pain presented by the patients: chest pain, abdominal pain and hip injury, in terms of initial assessment, intensity, treatment and effect of treatment. The overall rationale was to evaluate whether the early assessment and treatment of pain in the pre-hospital setting is optimal or whether there is room for improvement. METHODS: Observational study during 2016 including 1234 patients triaged to chest pain, abdominal pain and hip injury by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Gothenburg, Sweden. RESULTS: Severe pain on the arrival of the EMS was described by 39% of patients with a hip injury, 27% with abdominal pain and 15% with chest pain. Analgesics were given to 58% of patients with a hip injury, 35% with chest pain and 34% with abdominal pain. A lower intensity of pain at re-evaluation was observed in 80% of patients with a hip injury, 57% with chest pain and 43% with abdominal pain. Administration of analgesics increased with the duration of pre-hospital care time in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with a hip injury had the most severe pain and they received most pain-relieving medication. Overall, a relatively small proportion of patients with pain received pain-relieving medication and there appears to be an extensive room for improvement.
Authors: Piotr Konrad Leszczyński; Justyna Kalinowska; Krzysztof Mitura; Daryna Sholokhova Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-24 Impact factor: 4.614