Prehospital Pain Management: Current Status and Future Direction

Despite the recommendations of various professional organizations and evidence on the deleterious effects of untreated pain, inadequate pain management or oligoanalgesia remains a common problem in the prehospital setting. The literature has identified several barriers to adequate prehospital care, and researchers have attempted to address these barriers. Thus far, it appears that education and change in prehospital patient care protocols can improve prehospital pain management. However, there remain too many unanswered questions. The published data on the impact of protocol changes and education did not appear to address all of the identified barriers or address the needs of the pediatric population. In addition, there is pediatric data on appropriate tools for prehospital pain assessment. Finally, there is a dire need to evaluate new and novel analgesic agents that may be delivered via nontraditional routes.