Older Adult Emergency Department Pain Management Strategies

Lauren J Gleason; Emily D Escue; Teresita M Hogan

doi:10.1016/j.cger.2018.04.009

Older Adult Emergency Department Pain Management Strategies

Clin Geriatr Med. 2018 Aug;34(3):491-504. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2018.04.009. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

Authors

Lauren J Gleason¹, Emily D Escue¹, Teresita M Hogan²

Affiliations

¹ Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC6098, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
² Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC6098, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Section of Emergency Medicine, L-550A (MC 5068), 5841 S, Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address: thogan@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu.

PMID: 30031429
DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2018.04.009

Abstract

Older adults frequently present to the emergency department (ED) with pain, which is often underrecognized and undertreated. There is high variability of pain management and prescribing practices by ED providers. This article focuses on treatment of older adults in the ED who present with pain and addresses special considerations for this population. Social supports and follow-up must be considered in discharge treatment recommendations.

Keywords: Analgesics; Emergency medicine; Geriatrics; Management; Pain; Pain assessment; Quality.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Geriatric Assessment / methods
Humans
Pain Management* / methods
Pain Management* / standards
Pain Measurement / methods*
Pain* / diagnosis
Pain* / etiology
Pain* / prevention & control
Patient Discharge / standards*
Quality Improvement