The effect of supportive emergency department nursing care on pain reduction of patients with Red Sea marine wildlife injuries

•The Emergency Medicine Department in Eilat, Israel treats a unique population of injuries from marine wildlife.•Pain reduction is one of the most critical interventions in the Emergency department.•Following nursing care and intervention, a significant difference in pain level was achieved.

IntroductionThe emergency department at Yoseftal hospital in Eilat is on the shore of the Red Sea, and it is visited by patients with marine wildlife injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supportive nursing care on the pain level of patients with Red Sea marine wildlife injuries.MethodA prospective quantitative study including 102 patients admitted to the emergency department. The study included a study group (N = 50) and a control group (N = 52). Both groups rated their pain level on the VAS before and after receiving treatment. The control group received the usual treatment, and the study group received the usual nursing treatment along with structured patient guidance and support.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the level of pain after the intervention between the control and the study group. In the study group, the level of pain was significantly reduced compared with the control group (p < 0.001).DiscussionNursing training and patient guidance contributed to increasing cooperation with patients and pain reduction. Therefore, training interventions should be structured and assimilated as an integral part of nursing practice.