Implementing Evidence‐Based Pain Management Interventions Into an Emergency Department: Outcomes Guided by Use of the Ottawa Model of Research Use

ABSTRACT

Aim

To implement strategies to improve the care of patients with acute pain in the emergency department (ED).

Design

Pre–post implementation study using a Type 2 hybrid effectiveness–implementation design.

Methods

Implementation strategies were introduced and monitored through the Ottawa Model of Research Uses' assessment, monitoring and evaluation cycles, supported by focused and sustained facilitation.

Results

Improvements in time-to-analgesia within 30 min (21%–27%), administration of nurse-initiated analgesia (NIA) (17%–27%) and measurement of pain (65%–75%) were achieved post-implementation. NIA was the strongest predictor of receiving analgesia within 30 min. Adoption of pain interventions into practice was not immediate yet responded to sustained facilitation of implementation strategies.

Conclusion

Collaboration with local clinicians to introduce simple interventions that did not disrupt workflow or substantially add to workload were effective in improving analgesia administration rates, and the proportion of patients receiving analgesia within 30 min. The assessment, monitoring and evaluation cycles enabled agile and responsive facilitation of implementation activities within the dynamic ED environment. Improvements took time to embed into practice, trending upward over the course of the implementation period, supporting the sustained facilitation approach throughout the study.

Implications

Sustained adoption of evidence-based pain interventions into the care of people presenting to the ED with acute pain can be achieved through sustained facilitation of implementation. NIA should be at the centre of acute pain management in the ED.

Impact

This study addressed the lingering gap between evidence and practice for patients with acute pain in the ED. Implementation of locally relevant/informed implementation strategies supported by focused and sustained facilitation improved the care of patients with acute pain in the ED. This research will have an impact on people presenting to EDs with acute pain, and on clinicians treating people with acute pain in the ED. Relevant equator guidelines were followed and the StaRI reporting method used.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution in this study.