Table 6 Perceived barriers to pain management in an emergency setting (N = 126)
Statement | Participants´ Response | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Never 0% | Seldom < 25% | Sometimes 25–50% | Often 50–75% | Routine > 75% | ||
Mean ± SD | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | |
Overcrowding of the Emergency Department | 2.57 ± 1.25 | 8 (6.3) | 20 (15.9) | 28 (22.2) | 32 (25.4) | 38 (30.2) |
RLack of protocols/guidelines for pain assessment | 2.45 ± 1.52 | 25 (19.8) | 11 (8.7) | 15 (11.9) | 32 (25.4) | 43 (34.2) |
RNursing Workload | 2.44 ± 1.29 | 12 (9.5) | 20 (15.9) | 27 (21.4) | 35 (27.8) | 32 (25.4) |
RLack of availability of pain assessment tools | 2.43 ± 1.43 | 18 (14.3) | 18 (14.3) | 22 (17.5) | 28 (22.2) | 40 (31.7) |
Strict regulation of opioids | 2.42 ± 1.41 | 13 (10.4) | 26 (20.6) | 26 (20.6) | 17 (13.5) | 44 (34.9) |
RLack / insufficient analgesic availability | 2.34 ± 1.36 | 16 (12.7) | 21 (16.7) | 26 (20.6) | 30 (23.8) | 33 (26.2) |
RLack of protocol/ guidelines for pain management | 2.25 ± 1.39 | 19 (15.1) | 20 (15.9) | 28 (22.2) | 28 (22.2) | 31 (24.6) |
Fear of addiction towards opioids | 2.17 ± 1.42 | 18 (14.3) | 31 (24.6) | 20 (15.9) | 25 (19.8) | 32 (25.4) |
RPoor documentation of pain assessment and management | 2.13 ± 1.37 | 22 (17.5) | 24 (19.0) | 17 (13.5) | 17 (13.5) | 42 (33.3) |
RLack of designated area for documentation | 2.02 ± 1.45 | 28 (22.2) | 21 (16.7) | 23 (18.3) | 29 (23.0) | 25 (19.8) |
Patient inability to communicate (e.g. unconscious patient) | 1.98 ± 1.14 | 12 (9.5) | 31 (24.6) | 45 (35.7) | 23 (18.3) | 15 (11.9) |
RPoor communication of pain and its management | 1.89 ± 1.25 | 24 (19.0) | 22 (17.5) | 36 (28.6) | 32 (25.4) | 12 (9.5) |
Insufficient analgesia dosage prescribed | 1.86 ± 1.33 | 24 (19.0) | 29 (23.0) | 34 (27.0) | 19 (15.1) | 20 (15.9) |
RLack of education/ familiarity with assessment tools | 1.84 ± 1.41 | 30 (23.8) | 25 (19.9) | 26 (20.6) | 25 (19.8) | 20 (15.9) |
RPatient instability, e.g. unstable hemodynamic | 1.79 ± 0.99 | 12 (9.5) | 36 (28.6) | 50 (39.7) | 22 (17.4) | 6 (4.8) |
Language barriers | 1.59 ± 1.24 | 31 (24.6) | 28 (22.2) | 41 (32.5) | 14 (11.1) | 12 (9.5) |
Inadequate knowledge regarding pain management | 1.58 ± 1.33 | 33 (26.2) | 35 (27.8) | 24 (19.0) | 20 (15.9) | 14 (11.2) |
RSedation interfering with pain management | 1.56 ± 1.14 | 26 (20.6) | 33 (26.2) | 43 (34.2) | 16 (12.7) | 8 (6.3) |
RLow priority of pain management by emergency team | 1.48 ± 1.23 | 35 (27.8) | 31 (24.6) | 34 (27.0) | 17 (13.5) | 9 (7.1) |
Patient/family requests not to give pain medications | 1.21 ± 1.11 | 42 (33.2) | 35 (27.8) | 36 (28.6) | 7 (5.6) | 6 (4.8) |