Assessment of Pain in the Transport Environment: A Review of the Literature

IntroductionCritically ill or injured patients who are transported experience pain. Pain is associated with multiple adverse affects including tachycardia, hypertension, anxiety, elevated blood glucose levels, and diaphoresis.MethodsUsing multiple search terms, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and MEDLINE databases as well as pertinent Web sites were searched for relevant information.ResultsAn important component of pain management is pain assessment, yet little empirically based literature is available regarding pain assessment for patients who are transported.DiscussionThe purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding the transport nursing environment and barriers to pain assessment during transport.