Analgesia in trauma patients treated by advanced life support nursing units: a retrospective pre-post intervention observational study

Objective:   to assess whether the administration of different groups of intravenous analgesics in advanced life support nursing units to patients with acute trauma and moderate or severe pain significantly reduced perceived pain.

Method:  retrospective and analytical observational study, pre-post intervention type. Data were collected from the information system and medical records. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to analyse pain levels at beginning and end of care, their association with the drugs administered, and care times.

Results:  data from 164 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 54±21.49 years, and 48.78% were women. The initial score on a verbal numerical rating scale was = 8,48±1,04 points, while the final score was 4.09±2.32 points, with a statistically significant difference between both moments (p <0.001). Opioid treatments showed greater analgesic efficacy than non-opioid analgesics (p=0.014).

Conclusion:  the administration of analgesia by nurses in advanced life support units in the out-of-hospital setting achieves a reduction in perceived pain in acute trauma. Opioids, alone or in combination with non-opioid analgesics, are associated with greater pain reduction.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Emergency Medical Services; Ambulances; Pain Measurement; Analgesia; Wounds and Injuries

(1) Intravenous analgesia significantly reduces pain in trauma patients. (2) Opioids, alone or in combination with non-opioid analgesics, provide greater pain relief. (3) The advanced life support nursing unit is safe and effective in administering analgesia. (4) The administration of intravenous analgesia is not associated with adverse events in the short term. (5) Prolonged care time correlates with greater reduction in traumatic pain.