Implementation of an ED Protocol for Pain Management at Triage at a Busy Level I Trauma Center

Campbell, Patricia RN, BSN, MICN, CEN
Dennie, Meriam RN, MS, CEN, SANE-A, NREMT-B
Dougherty, Karen RN, BSN, CEN, MICN, SANE-A
Iwaskiw, Oksana RN, BSN, MICN, CEN
Rollo, Karen RN, BSN, CEN, SANE-A

Patricia Campbell, Karen Dougherty, Oksana Iwaskiw, and Karen Rollo are Delaware ENA State Council members and RN II, Emergency Department, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Del. Meriam Dennie is Delaware ENA State Council member, flight nurse, and RN II, Lifenet Christiana, Newark, Del.

For reprints, write: Karen Rollo, Christiana Care Health System, 4755 Ogletown-Stanton Rd, Newark, DE 19718; E-mail: [email protected].

Journal of Emergency Nursing 30(5):p 431-438, October 2004.

A pain protocol that calls for physician evaluation for pain rated greater than “7” and nurse initiated medication ranging from acetaminophen to oxycodone for anything less, led to a significant improvement in early pain management and patient satisfaction. Patients were more comfortable, and the protocol fostered nursing autonomy and physician/nurse collegiality. Intensive monitoring during the first 6 months to 1 year after implementation was important, and today, the protocol is used as a matter of course.