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Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Study protocol

Exploring how nurses assess, monitor and manage acute pain for adult critically ill patients in the emergency department: protocol for a mixed methods study

Authors: Wayne Varndell, Margaret Fry, Doug Elliott

Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Many critically ill patients experience moderate to severe acute pain that is frequently undetected and/or undertreated. Acute pain in this patient cohort not only derives from their injury and/or illness, but also as a consequence of delivering care whilst stabilising the patient. Emergency nurses are increasingly responsible for the safety and wellbeing of critically ill patients, which includes assessing, monitoring and managing acute pain. How emergency nurses manage acute pain in critically ill adult patients is unknown. The objective of this study is to explore how emergency nurses manage acute pain in critically ill patients in the Emergency Department.

Methods

In this paper, we provide a detailed description of the methods and protocol for a multiphase sequential mixed methods study, exploring how emergency nurses assess, monitor and manage acute pain in critically ill adult patients. The objective, method, data collection and analysis of each phase are explained. Justification of each method and data integration is described.

Discussion

Synthesis of findings will generate a comprehensive picture of how emergency nurses’ perceive and manage acute pain in critically ill adult patients. The results of this study will form a knowledge base to expand theory and inform research and practice.
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Metadata
Title
Exploring how nurses assess, monitor and manage acute pain for adult critically ill patients in the emergency department: protocol for a mixed methods study
Authors
Wayne Varndell
Margaret Fry
Doug Elliott
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-017-0421-x

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