Care of Patients with Chronic/Persistent Pain in the Emergency Care Setting Position Statement-Care of Patients with Chronic/Persistent Pain in the Emergency Care Setting Position Statement

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Chronic/persistent pain is a challenging condition to treat. It often leads patients to seek medical intervention, including visits to the emergency department (ED). Approximately 10-16% of ED visits are estimated to be due to chronic/persistent pain, resulting in about 13-22 million visits annually. However, the ED is not the ideal setting for managing chronic pain issues due to limited follow-up and fragmented care transitions. The increased prescribing of opioids for chronic pain management has contributed to the opioid epidemic, which resulted in over 40,000 overdose deaths in 2016.<br /><br />The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has taken a position on the care of patients with chronic/persistent pain in the ED. The key points of the ENA's position include recognizing pain as the patient perceives it, the importance of education for emergency nurses on managing chronic pain, the use of evidence-based assessment tools, and the need for comprehensive pain assessments. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals and thorough documentation are also emphasized. The ENA supports the development of a frequently updated interstate prescription drug monitoring program to promote safe opioid prescribing practices in the ED.<br /><br />Chronic/persistent pain is a complex condition that often requires multiple visits to various healthcare providers. The ED, with its focus on acute conditions, is not equipped to provide optimal care for chronic pain. The use of opioids for chronic pain management has led to unintended consequences, including increased overdoses. However, opioids should not be completely excluded from treatment options, as there may be instances where they are the most effective method of pain control. It is crucial for healthcare providers to educate patients about the risks of opioid use and discuss alternative treatment options when appropriate. Self-reported pain is subjective, and emergency nurses should continue to use evidence-based methods to assess and document pain.<br /><br />Overall, the ENA's position emphasizes the importance of providing safe and quality care for patients with chronic/persistent pain in the ED, while also recognizing the intricacies of managing this complex condition.

Meta Tag

chronic pain

chronic healing

chronic opioids

chronic prescription

chronic drug

chronic abuse

chronic misuse

chronic overdose

chronic risk

chronic alternative

chronic RADARS

chronic diversion

chronic addiction

Keywords

Chronic pain

Persistent pain

Medical intervention

Emergency department

ED visits

Opioid epidemic

Emergency Nurses Association

Pain management

Interstate prescription drug monitoring program

Opioid prescribing practices