Measuring Changes in Acute Pain in the Emergency Department Using Patient Reported Scales

Patient reported pain, stress, and anxiety measures have been found to be inter-related, but
it is not known if they are all associated with receiving opiate medications. The objective
of this study is to determine if patients' degree of reported pain, stress, or anxiety is
associated with receiving opiate pain medications in the emergency department or at
discharge. Alert patients at least 18 years of age and who report pain greater than 3/10 are
eligible to participate in the study. Consenting patients complete Visual Analog Scales
describing their perceived pain, stress, and anxiety from enrollment until discharge.
Demographic data and administration of pain medication is also recorded. Visual Analog Scale
scores among patients who received an opioid pain medicine in the emergency department and
at discharge will be compared to those who did not.