Quality and impact of nurse-initiated analgesia in the emergency department: a systematic review

There are over 7.5 million patient presentations to emergency departments (ED) in Australia each year[1], of which pain is the most frequent symptom; occurring in over 85% of all presentations[2]. Detection and management of pain is an essential component of quality patient care[3]. Despite this high prevalence, detection, assessment and management of pain is often neglected, resulting in an increased risk of poor physiological and psychological consequences for patients and sub-optimal performance of the health system[4].
Source: International Emergency Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research