Emergency Medical Services Outcomes Project (EMSOP) IV: Pain measurement in out-of-hospital outcomes research

Ronald F. Maio, Herbert G. Garrison, Daniel W. Spaite, Jeffrey S. Desmond, Mary Ann Gregor, Ian G. Stiell, C. Gene Cayten, John L. Chew, Ellen J. MacKenzie, David R. Miller, Patricia J. O'Malley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of the Emergency Medical Services Outcomes Project (EMSOP) is to develop a foundation and framework for out-of-hospital outcomes research. In prior work (EMSOP I), discomfort had the highest weighted score among outcome categories for the top 3 adult conditions (ie, minor trauma, respiratory distress, chest pain) and the first and third highest rankings for children's conditions (ie, minor trauma, respiratory distress). In this fourth article in the EMSOP series, we discuss issues relevant to the measurement of pain in the out-of-hospital setting, recommended pain measures that require evaluation, and implications for outcomes research focusing on pain. For adults, adolescents, and older children, 2 verbal pain-rating scales are recommended for out-of-hospital evaluation: (1) the Adjective Response Scale, which includes the responses "none," "slight," "moderate," "severe," and "agonizing," and (2) the Numeric Response Scale, which includes responses from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain imaginable). The Oucher Scale, combining a visual analog scale with pictures, seems most promising for out-of-hospital use among younger children. Future research in out-of-hospital care should be conducted to determine the utility and feasibility of these measures, as well as the effectiveness of interventions for pain relief.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)172-179
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of emergency medicine
Volume40
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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