Assessment of Adequacy and Appropriateness of Pain Management Practice among Trauma Patients at the Ethiopian Aabet Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Pain is unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences associated with actual and/or potential tissue damage. It is the most common and prevalent reason for emergency departments (ED) visits with prevalence over 70% in the world. The aim of this study was to assess adequacy and appropriateness of pain management at Aabet Hospital. Methods An observational prospective study was conducted at Aabet hospital from December 1, 2020, to March 30, 2021. Adult trauma patients having pain (at least score 1 on Numeric Rating Scale) with Glasgow Coma Scale score > 13 was eligible to participate in the study. The pain intensity was evaluated at the time of admission (o minute) and then at 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. The time of the first analgesics was registered. The adequacy and the appropriateness of the pain management were calculated through pain management index (PMI). Results Two hundred thirty-two (232) participants were included in this study of which 126 (54.3%) were admitted due to road traffic accident followed by fall 44(19%). Only 21 (9.1%) study participants received the first analgesic treatment within 30 minutes while 27(11.6%) participants had no treatment at all within 240 minutes. The mean pain intensity score at admission was 5.55 ± 2.32 and reduced to 4.09 ± 2.69 at 240 minutes. Nearly half 110 (47.4%) of the study participants were treated inadequately (PMI (-) score). There was a weak and negative correlation between PMI and time to analgesia (r = − .159, p = 0.0001). The type of analgesia administered, time to analgesia and pain intensity could predict 65% of variance in PMI score (R2 = 0.65, P = .001). Conclusion From the results of this study, it can be concluded that acute pain in trauma patients was under and inappropriately treated.