Pain Management in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Pain management has remained a public health priority since 20 years. Pain is one of the most frequent reasons for emergency room (ER) admissions. In recent years, much progress has been made regarding pain assessment, early pain management right from ER admission, as well as the use of decision-making algorithms. These have enabled a better use of the available painkillers including morphine, which remains the primary treatment for acute pain in the ER. Local and regional anesthesias, as well as sedation for painful procedures are increasingly used by emergency physicians but require approved protocols and a good understanding of their implementation. However, there are still areas for improvement such as the use of hypnosis. Improved pain management in emergency departments can be achieved through better training and raising awareness among professionals.