Patient preferences regarding pain medication in the ED

Previous studies have reported inadequate pain control in the emergency dep artment (ED). The primary purpose of this study was to determine the propor tion of ED patients with acute fractures who actually wanted pain medicatio n given in the ED. A convenience sample of 107 adults with acute long-bone fractures seen in a community hospital ED were surveyed on the pain level t hey had on ED presentation, the pain level desired at ED discharge, and the ir preferences for administration of analgesia in the ED. Eighty eight perc ent of the patients wanted pain medication given in the ED and 77% actually received it. Sixty nine percent were comfortable with a nurse administerin g pain medication before physician evaluation. Seventy percent wanted pain control without being sedated and 25% wanted complete pain relief even if s edation was necessary to achieve it. Sixty percent were either slightly con cerned or not concerned about potential medication side effects.