Acute Care: Pain Management

Pain is a chief complaint in more than 50% of emergency department (ED) visits. Injury accounts for approximately one-third of presentations associated with pain; other common diagnoses include neck and back pain, minor infections, abdominal pain, and headache. In the ED, pain is underdiagnosed and undertreated, and existing pain management practices in the ED are inconsistent.  Inadequate pain management is common, and pain remains unchanged or worsens during the ED visit for more than 40% of patients.  Patient satisfaction improves when expectations for pain control are met. This review covers the pathophysiology of pain and the practice of pain management. Figures show the approach to pain management in the ED, an example of a numerical and visual analog scale pain rating scale, field block of the pinna, ultrasound probe and hand position for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, regional anesthesia of the face, innervation of the hand and fingers, regional anesthesia of the median, radial and ulnar nerves, innervation of the foot, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia of the posterior tibialis nerve, regional anesthesia of the sural nerve, and method of regional anesthesia of the dorsal foot.  This review contains 13 figures, 16 tables, and 72 references. Key words: Acute pain, Pain management, Oligoanalgesia, Pain assessment, Inadequate pain management, Acute pain management, Pain management in the emergency department, Pain in the ED, Pain presentation