Prehospital Opioid Administration in the Emergency Care of Injured Children

Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Out-of-Hospital Pain Management for Patients With Long Bone Fractures

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in out-of-hospital analgesic administration, accounting for the influence of clinical characteristics and community socioeconomic vulnerability, among a national cohort of patients with long bone fractures.

METHODS

Using the 2019-2020 ESO Data Collaborative, we retrospectively analyzed emergency medical services (EMS) records for 9-1-1 advanced life support transport of adult patients diagnosed with long bone fractures at the emergency department. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for out-of-hospital analgesic administration by race and ethnicity, accounting for age, sex, insurance, fracture location, transport time, pain severity, and scene Social Vulnerability Index. We reviewed a random sample of EMS narratives without analgesic administration to identify whether other clinical factors or patient preferences could explain differences in analgesic administration by race and ethnicity.

RESULTS

Among 35,711 patients transported by 400 EMS agencies, 81% were White, non-Hispanic, 10% were Black, non-Hispanic, and 7% were Hispanic. In crude analyses, Black, non-Hispanic patients with severe pain were less likely to receive analgesics compared with White, non-Hispanic patients (59% versus 72%; Risk Difference: -12.5%, 95% CI: -15.8% to -9.9%). After adjustment, Black, non-Hispanic patients remained less likely to receive analgesics compared with White, non-Hispanic patients (aOR:0.65, 95% CI:0.53 to 0.79). Narrative review identified similar rates of patients declining analgesics offered by EMS and analgesic contraindications across racial and ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among EMS patients with long bone fractures, Black, non-Hispanic patients were substantially less likely to receive out-of-hospital analgesics compared with White, non-Hispanic patients. These disparities were not explained by differences in clinical presentations, patient preferences, or community socioeconomic conditions.

Evidence-Based Guidelines for Prehospital Pain Management: Literature and Methods

INTRODUCTION

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinicians commonly encounter patients with acute pain. A new set of evidence-based guidelines (EBG) was developed to assist in the prehospital management of pain. Our objective was to describe the methods used to develop these evidence-based guidelines for prehospital pain management.

METHODS

The EBG development process was supported by a previous systematic review conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) covering nine different population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) questions. A technical expert panel (TEP) was formed and added an additional pediatric-specific PICO question. Identified evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework and tabulated into Summary of Findings tables. The TEP then utilized a rigorous systematic method, including the PanelVoice function, for recommendation development which was applied to generate Evidence to Decision Tables (EtD). This process involved review of the Summary of Findings tables, asynchronous member judging, and facilitated panel discussion to generate final consensus-based recommendations.

RESULTS

The work product described above was completed by the TEP panel from September 2020 to April 2021. For these recommendations, the overall certainty of evidence was very low or low, data for decisions on cost effectiveness and equity were lacking, and feasibility was rated well across all categories. Based on the evidence, one strong and seven conditional recommendations were made, with two PICO questions lacking sufficient evidence to generate a recommendation.

CONCLUSION

We describe a protocol that leveraged established EBG development techniques, the GRADE framework in conjunction with a previous AHRQ systematic review to develop treatment recommendations for prehospital pain management. This process allowed for mitigation of many confounders due to the use of virtual and electronic communication. Our approach may inform future guideline development and increase transparency in the prehospital recommendations development processes.

Impact of Prehospital Pain Management on Emergency Department Management of Injured Children

OBJECTIVE

Provision of analgesia for injured children is challenging for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinicians. Little is known about the effect of prehospital analgesia on emergency department (ED) care. We aimed to determine the impact of prehospital pain interventions on initial ED pain scale scores, timing and dosing of ED analgesia for injured patients transported by EMS.

METHODS

This is a planned, secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort of children with actual or suspected injuries transported to one of 11 PECARN-affiliated EDs from July 2019-April 2020. Using Wilcoxon rank sum for continuous variables and chi-square testing for categorical variables, we compared the change in EMS-to-ED pain scores and timing and dosing of ED-administered opioid analgesia in those who did and those who did not receive prehospital pain interventions.

RESULTS

We enrolled 474 children with complete prehospital and ED pain management data. Prehospital interventions were performed on 262/474 (55%) of injured children and a total of 88 patients (19%) received prehospital opioids. Children who received prehospital opioids with or without adjunctive non-pharmacologic pain management experienced a greater reduction in pain severity and were more likely to receive ED opioids in higher doses earlier and throughout their ED care. Non-pharmacologic pain interventions alone did not impact ED care.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate that prehospital opioid analgesia is associated with both a significant reduction in pain severity at ED arrival and the administration of higher doses of opioid analgesia earlier and throughout ED care.

Pilot implementation of the competence of Czech paramedics to administer sufentanil for the treatment of pain in acute trauma without consulting a physician: observational study

Background

The use of intravenous opioids in the traumatic pain in pre-hospital care in the Czech Republic is based primarily on the indication of a physician. If the paramedic crew arrives at the site earlier or only on their own, analgesia is given after phone-call consultation with the physician or after his arrival at the site. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the indication and administration of sufentanil by paramedics in the treatment of pain in acute trauma adult patients without the physician’s control.

Methods

Paramedics underwent voluntarily the simulation training aimed at administering intravenously sufentanil to treat pain in acute trauma in adults without physician’s indication. Subsequently, the adverse events and efficacy were monitored for a six-month period and compared in two groups: administration of sufentanil by paramedics without this competence, who further consulted the administration by telephone with physicians (group Consultation) and those with this competence (group Competence).

Results

A total number of sufentanil administration in group Consultation was 88 and in group Competence 70. There was no respiratory arrest, bradypnea, or need for oxygen therapy reported in any of the study groups. The incidence of nausea was 3% in both groups – Consultation (n = 3) and in Competence (n = 2). Vomiting was not reported in the Consultation group and in 6% in the Competence group (n = 4). Intravenous antiemetic drugs were used in the Consultation group only in 1% (n = 1) and in the Competence group in 7% of patients (n = 5) (p < 0,05). In both groups there was observed a decrease in the pain numeric rating scale (Consultation: M =—3,2; SD = 1,2 points vs. Competence: M =—3,9; SD = 1,8 points).

Conclusion

Intravenous administration of sufentanil by properly trained paramedics without consultation with a physician in acute trauma can be considered safe.

Analgesia in pediatric trauma patients in physician-staffed Austrian helicopter rescue: a 12-year registry analysis

BACKGROUND

As pediatric patients are typically rare among helicopter emergency medical systems (HEMS), children might be at risk for oligo-analgesia due to the rescuer's lack of experience and the fear of side effects.

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, data was obtained from the ÖAMTC HEMS digital database including 14 physician staffed helicopter bases in Austria over a 12-year timeframe. Primary missions involving pediatric trauma patients (< 15 years) not mechanically ventilated on-site were included. Analgesia was assessed and compared between the age groups 0-5, 6-10 and 11-14 years.

RESULTS

Of all flight missions, 8.2% were dedicated to children < 15 years. Analgetic drugs were administered in 31.4% of all primary missions (3874 of 12,324), wherefrom 2885 were injured and non-ventilated (0-5 yrs.: n = 443; 6-10 yrs.: n = 902; 11-14 yrs.: n = 1540). The majority of these patients (> 75%) suffered moderate to severe pain, justifying immediate analgesia. HEMS physicians typically chose a monotherapy with an opioid (n = 1277; 44.3%) or Esketamine (n = 1187; 41.1%) followed by the combination of both (n = 324; 11.2%). Opioid use increased (37.2% to 63.4%) and Esketamine use decreased (66.1% to 48.3%) in children < 6 vs. > 10 years. Esketamine was more often administered in extremity (57.3%) than in head (41.5%) or spine injuries (32.3%). An intravenous access was less often established in children < 6 years (74.3% vs. 90.8%; p < 0.001). Despite the use of potent analgesics, 396 missions (13.7%) were performed without technical monitoring. Particularly regarding patient data at handover in hospital, merely < 10% of all missions featured complete documentation. Therefore, sufficient evaluation of the efficacy of pain relief was not possible. Yet, by means of respiratory measures required during transport, severe side effects such as respiratory insufficiency, were barely noted.

CONCLUSIONS

In the physician-staffed HEMS setting, pediatric trauma patients liberally receive opioids and Esketamine for analgesia. With regard to severe respiratory insufficiency during transport, the application of these potent analgesics seems safe.

An EXploration of the facilitators and barriers to paramedics' assessment and treatment of pain in PAediatric patients following Trauma (EX-PAT)

Background:

Pain is a common symptom among patients presenting to ambulance services and is often associated with traumatic injury. Assessment and management of pain in children in the pre-hospital setting is suboptimal. This study aimed to understand the facilitators and barriers experienced by paramedics in their assessment and management of pain in children who have sustained traumatic injuries.

Methods:

Face-to-face, audio-recorded semi-structured interviews using a piloted topic guide were conducted with paramedics employed by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. Interviews were professionally transcribed, coded manually and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Eleven interviews were conducted; three themes related to assessment and three related to management were identified. Previous positive experiences of utilising pain scoring tools were identified as a facilitator to pain assessment, whereas a lack of confidence in using pain scoring tools was a barrier. Patients’ understanding of and compliance with the tools were both a facilitator and a barrier to assessment. Facilitators to management included personal sub-themes of colleagues/others, exposure, being a parent, technology, severity of the injury and subjective pain scoring. Organisational facilitators included medicines, routes, and alternative methods. Situational facilitators included patient-specific solutions and parents. Five personal barriers to management included medicines, skill, consequences to self or patient, negative interactions, and limited exposure. Three organisational barriers included medicines and routes, equipment issues and choices, and training and culture. Within the theme of situation, two sub-themes emerged: patient-specific issues and environment-specific issues. Novel facilitators to emerge were those of alternative methods and being a parent.

Conclusion:

A multitude of factors incorporating situational, organisational, and personal all combine to determine how paramedics treat paediatric trauma patients. A multi-stakeholder approach to providing clearer assessment tools, improved education, equipment, and pharmacy options may improve assessment and management compliance for the benefit of the patient.

Pre-Hospital Pain Management in Children with Injuries: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The all-too-frequent failure to rate pain intensity, resulting in the lack of or inadequacy of pain management, has long ceased to be an exclusive problem of the young patient, becoming a major public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the methods used for reducing post-traumatic pain in children and the frequency of use of such methods. Additionally, the methods of pain assessment and the frequency of their application in this age group were analysed. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2452 medical records of emergency medical teams dispatched to injured children aged 0–18 years in the area around Warsaw (Poland). Results: Of all injured children, 1% (20 out of 2432) had their pain intensity rated, and the only tool used for this assessment was the numeric rating scale (NRS). Children with burns most frequently received a single analgesic drug or cooling (56.2%), whereas the least frequently used method was multimodal treatment combining pharmacotherapy and cooling (13.5%). Toddlers constituted the largest percentage of patients who were provided with cooling (12%). Immobilisation was most commonly used in adolescents (29%) and school-age children (n = 186; 24%). Conclusions: Low frequency of pain assessment emphasises the need to provide better training in the use of various pain rating scales and protocols. What is more, non-pharmacological methods (cooling and immobilisation) used for reducing pain in injured children still remain underutilized.

Analgesia in adult trauma patients in physician-staffed Austrian helicopter rescue: a 12-year registry analysis

Background

Sufficient analgesia is an obligation, but oligoanalgesia (NRS> 3) is frequently observed prehospitally. Potent analgesics may cause severe adverse events. Thus, analgesia in the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) setting is challenging. Adequacy, efficacy and administration safety of potent analgesics pertaining to injured patients in HEMS were analysed.

Methods

Observational study evaluating data from 14 year-round physician-staffed helicopter bases in Austria in a 12-year timeframe.

Results

Overall, 47,985 (34.3%) patients received analgesics, 26,059 of whom were adult patients, injured and not mechanically ventilated on site. Main drugs administered were opioids (n=20,051; 76.9%), esketamine (n=9082; 34.9%), metamizole (n=798; 3.1%) and NSAIDs (n=483; 1.9%). Monotherapy with opioids or esketamine was the most common regimen (n=21,743; 83.4%), while opioids together with esketamine (n= 3591; 13.8%) or metamizole (n=369; 1.4%) were the most common combinations. Females received opioids less frequently than did males (n=6038; 74.5% vs. n=14,013; 78.1%; p< 0.001). Pain relief was often sufficient (> 95%), but females more often had moderate to severe pain on arrival in hospital (n=34; 5.0% vs. n=59; 3.2%; p=0.043). Administration of potent analgesics was safe, as indicated by MEES, SpO₂ and respiratory rates. On 10% of all missions, clinical patient assessment was deemed sufficient by HEMS physicians and monitoring was spared.

Conclusions

Opioids and esketamine alone or in combination were the analgesics of choice in physician-staffed HEMS in Austria. Analgesia was often sufficient, but females more than males suffered from oligoanalgesia on hospital arrival. Administration safety was high, justifying liberal use of potent analgesics in physician-staffed HEMS.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13049-021-00839-9.

Effects of the Introduction of Intranasal Fentanyl on Reduction of Pain Severity Score in Children: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Children are at risk of inadequate analgesia due to paramedics' inexperience in assessing children and challenges in administering analgesics when the patient is distressed and uncooperative. This study reports on the outcome of a change to practice guidelines that added intranasal fentanyl and intramuscular morphine within a large statewide ambulance service.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients younger than 15 years treated by paramedics between January 2008 and December 2011. The primary outcome of interest was the proportion of patients having a 2/10 or greater reduction in pain severity score using an 11-point Verbal Numeric Rating Scale before and after the intervention. Segmented regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of the intervention over time. A multiple regression model calculated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 92,378 children were transported by paramedics during the study period, with 9833 cases included in the analysis. The median age was 11 years; 61.6% were male. Before the intervention, 88.1% (n = 3114) of children receiving analgesia had a reduction of pain severity of 2 or more points, with 94.2% (n = 5933) achieving this benchmark after intervention (P < 0.0001). The odds of a reduction in pain of 2 or more points increased by 1.01 per month immediately before the intervention and 2.33 after intervention (<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This large study of a system-wide clinical practice guideline change has demonstrated a significant improvement in the outcome of interest. However, a proportion of children with moderate to severe pain did not receive analgesia.

Low-dose methoxyflurane analgesia in adolescent patients with moderate-to-severe trauma pain: a subgroup analysis of the STOP! study

Introduction

The undertreatment of acute pain presents a significant challenge in the Emergency Department. This post hoc subgroup analysis of a previously reported randomized controlled UK study reports the efficacy and safety of low-dose methoxyflurane analgesia in treating adolescent patients with moderate-to-severe trauma pain.

Patients and methods

Three hundred patients (96 in the adolescent subgroup) aged ≥12 years requiring analgesia for acute trauma pain (pain score of 4-7 on the Numerical Rating Scale) at triage were randomized 1:1 to methoxyflurane (up to 6 mL) or placebo (normal saline), both administered using a Penthrox^® inhaler. The patient could request rescue medication (paracetamol/opioids) at any time. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in visual analog scale (VAS) pain intensity.

Results

Mean VAS pain score for the adolescent subgroup at baseline was ~ 61 mm. Adjusted mean change in VAS pain intensity from baseline to 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes was -24.5, -28.1, -31.6, and -31.7 mm for methoxyflurane and -14.6, -18.8, -19.2, and -23.7 mm for placebo, with a statistically significant treatment effect in favor of methoxyflurane overall across all four time points (-9.9 mm; 95% CI: -17.4, -2.4 mm; P=0.0104). Median time to first pain relief was significantly shorter with methoxyflurane (1 minute) than placebo (3 minutes, P<0.0001). Pain relief was reported within 1-10 inhalations in 95.7% of methoxyflurane-treated patients and 64.6% of placebo-treated patients. Rescue medication was requested by two (4.3%) methoxyflurane-treated patients and three (6.3%) placebo-treated patients. Over 95% of patients, physicians, and nurses rated methoxyflurane treatment as "Excellent", "Very Good" or "Good" compared with between 64% and 68% for placebo. The incidence of adverse events was higher with methoxyflurane (51%) than placebo (42%), mostly comprising mild/transient dizziness and headache.

Conclusion

This subgroup analysis shows that low-dose inhaled methoxyflurane is a rapid-acting and effective analgesic in adolescent patients presenting with moderate-to-severe trauma pain.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01420159, EudraCT number: 2011-000338-12.

Efficacy and safety of inhaled low-dose methoxyflurane for acute paediatric pain: A systematic review

Introduction

Undertreatment of acute, moderate-to-severe pain in children is common, due in part to barriers to the use of opioids. Low-dose methoxyflurane is an inhaled, non-opioid analgesic widely used in Australia and recently approved in Europe for the emergency relief of acute moderate-to-severe trauma pain in adults.

Methods

Using an integrative review framework, we conducted a literature analysis to examine the potential utility of methoxyflurane in children with acute pain. EMBASE®, MEDLINE® and PubMed were searched (criteria included ‘methoxyflurane’ ‘child*’ or ‘adolescent’ or ‘pediatr*’ or ‘paediatr*’) from January 2000 to October 2017, along with internet-based sources to identify relevant grey literature (no predefined search criteria). A series of investigative questions were developed regarding the safety and efficacy of methoxyflurane in this setting and addressed using evidence collated from the identified studies.

Results

Of 366 results from the literature searches, 6 clinical trials and observational studies were identified which explored the safety and/or efficacy of inhaled methoxyflurane in individuals < 18 years in either a clinical trial or observational study. All six studies concluded that methoxyflurane provides effective and rapid analgesia for paediatric acute moderate-to-severe pain. Methoxyflurane was well tolerated and associated with good levels of patient/healthcare provider satisfaction in this setting.

Conclusions

While large-scale studies are needed to better inform treatment approaches for paediatric use, inhaled methoxyflurane has potential to provide easy to administer, needle-free analgesia with a rapid onset and good safety profile.

What are the predictors, barriers and facilitators to effective management of acute pain in children by ambulance services? A mixed-methods systematic review protocol

Introduction

The management of pain is complex, especially in children, as age, developmental level, cognitive and communication skills and associated beliefs must be considered. Without effective pain treatment, children may suffer long-term changes in stress hormone responses and pain perception and are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder. Pre-hospital analgesic treatment of injured children is suboptimal, with very few children in pain receiving analgesia. The aim of this review is to identify predictors, barriers and facilitators to effective management of acute pain in children by ambulance services.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach has been adopted due to the research question lending itself to qualitative and quantitative inquiry. The segregated methodology will be used where quantitative and qualitative papers are synthesised separately, followed by mixed-methods synthesis (meta-integration). We will search from inception: MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO via EBSCOHost, EMBASE via Ovid SP, Web of Science and Scopus. The Cochrane Library, the Joanna Briggs Institute, PROSPERO, ISRCTN and ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched. We will include empirical qualitative and quantitative studies. We will exclude animal studies, reviews, audits, service evaluations, simulated studies, letters, Best Evidence Topics, case studies, self-efficacy studies, comments and abstracts. Two authors will perform full screening and selection, data extraction and quality assessment. GRADE and CERQual will determine the confidence in cumulative evidence.

Discussion

If confidence in the cumulative evidence is deemed Moderate, Low or Very Low, then this review will inform the development of a novel mixed-methods sequential explanatory study which aims to comprehensively identify predictors, barriers and facilitators to effective pain management of acute pain in children within ambulance services. Future research will be discussed among authors if confidence is deemed High.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42017058960.

Improving Prehospital Protocol Adherence Using Bundled Educational Interventions

BACKGROUND

Seizures and anaphylaxis are life-threatening conditions that require immediate treatment in the prehospital setting. There is variation in treatment of pediatric prehospital patients for both anaphylaxis and seizures. This educational study was done to improve compliance with pediatric prehospital protocols, educate prehospital providers and decrease variation in care.

OBJECTIVE

To improve the quality of care for children with seizures and anaphylaxis in the prehospital setting using a bundled, multifaceted educational intervention.

METHODS

Evidence-based pediatric prehospital guidelines for seizures and anaphylaxis were used to create a curriculum for the paramedics in the EMS system. The curriculum included in-person training, videos, distribution of decision support tools, and a targeted social media campaign to reinforce the evidence-based guidelines. Prehospital charts were reviewed for pediatric patients with a chief complaint of anaphylaxis or seizures who were transported by paramedics to one of ten hospitals, including three children's hospitals, for 8 months prior to the intervention and eight months following the intervention. The primary outcome for seizures was whether midazolam was given via the preferred intranasal (IN) or intramuscular (IM) routes. The primary outcome for anaphylaxis was whether IM epinephrine was given.

RESULTS

A total of 1,402 pediatric patients were transported for seizures by paramedics to during the study period. A total of 88 patients were actively seizing pre-intervention and 93 post-intervention. Of the actively seizing patients, 52 were given midazolam pre-intervention and 62 were given midazolam post-intervention. Pre-intervention, 29% (15/52) of the seizing patients received midazolam via the preferred IM or IN routes, compared to 74% (46/62) of the seizing patients post-intervention. A total of 45 patients with anaphylaxis were transported by paramedics, 30 pre-intervention and 15 post-intervention. Paramedics administered epinephrine to 17% (5/30) patients pre-intervention and 67% (10/15) patients post-intervention.

CONCLUSION

The use of a bundled, multifaceted educational intervention including in-person training, decision support tools, and social media improved adherence to updated evidence-based pediatric prehospital protocols.

Prehospital Pain Management: Disparity By Age and Race

IMPORTANCE

Historically, pain management in the prehospital setting, specifically pediatric pain management, has been inadequate despite many EMS (emergency medical services) transports related to traumatic injury with pain noted as a symptom. The National Emergency Services Information System (NEMSIS) database offers the largest national repository of prehospital data, and can be used to assess current patterns of EMS pain management across the country.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze prehospital management of pain using NEMSIS data, and to assess if variables such as patient age and/or race/ethnicity are associated with disparity in pain treatment.

DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

A retrospective descriptive study over a three-year period (2012-2014) of the NEMSIS database for patients evaluated for three potentially painful medical impressions (fracture, burn, penetrating injury) to assess the presence of documented pain as a symptom, and if patients received treatment with analgesic medications. Results were analyzed according to type of pain medication given, age categories, and race/ethnicity of the patients.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Percentage of EMS transports documenting the three painful impressions that had pain documented as a symptom, received any of the six pain medications, and the disparity in documentation and treatment by age and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

There were 276,925 EMS records in the NEMSIS database that met inclusion criteria. Pain was listed as a primary or associated symptom for 29.5% of patients, and the youngest children (0-3 years) were least likely to have pain documented as a symptom (14.6%). Only 15.6% of all activations documented the receipt of prehospital pain medications. Children (<15 years) received pain medication 14.8% [95% CI 14.33, 15.34] of the time versus adults (≥15 years) 15.6% [95% CI 15.48, 15.76, p = 0.004]. Morphine and fentanyl were the most commonly administered medications to all age groups. Black patients were less likely to receive pain medication than other racial groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Documentation of pain as a symptom and pain treatment continue to be infrequent in the prehospital setting in all age groups, especially young children. There appears to be a racial disparity with Black patients less often treated with analgesics. The broad incorporation of national NEMSIS data suggests that these inadequacies are a widespread challenge deserving further attention.

Cryopreserved cultured epithelial allografts for pediatric deep partial dermal burns: Early wound closure and suppression of scarring

BACKGROUND

In deep partial thickness dermal burns (DDB) where greater than 50% of the dermis is lost, severe pain, scarring and contractures occur. Therefore, skin grafting may be required. In children, scar contracture occurs because scarred skin does not stretch with growth creating the need for additional scar-releasing or skin-grafting surgeries. In order to resolve this problem, we used cryopreserved cultured epithelial allograft (cryopreserved allo-CEG), which can be grafted shortly after sustaining a wound. We reevaluated the promotion of early wound closure of burns and suppression of scarring by this treatment.

METHODS

Cryopreserved allo-CEGs were used to treat 50 cases of pediatric DDB from 1992 to 2000. These cases were reviewed with regard to the time until epithelialization, take percentage, and pain level. Also, in order to examine why cryopreserved allo-CEG promotes healing of burns and suppresses scarring, growth factors and cytokines in the cryopreserved allo-CEG were measured. Cryopreserved allo-CEG sheets were solubilized and concentrations of TGF-α, TGF-β1, IL-1α, IL-1β, PDGF-AA, VEGF, KGF, IL-6, b-FGF, as well as metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) and HGF, which are noted to have scarring suppression effects, were measured before grafting.

RESULTS

Grafting of cryopreserved allo-CEGs in 50 cases of childhood DDB resulted in early epithelialization (9.32 ± 3.63 days on the average) and an almost 100% take rate. Also, pain relief (pain reduction or elimination, reduced need for anesthetics) was seen in all cases. Although 15-23 years have now elapsed, adverse events have not been observed. Cryopreserved allo-CEG contains IL-1α, IL-1β, PDGF-AA, TGF-α, TGF-β1, VEGF, and IL-6 have wound healing effects. The concentration of IL-1α was higher than the concentrations of other components, and this was followed by TGF-α, TGF-β1, b-FGF and VEGF. Although the concentration of MMP-1, which has a scarring suppression effect, was high, HGF was not detected.

CONCLUSION

Cryopreserved allo-CEG contains growth factors that promote wound healing and factors that suppress scarring. Three effects, namely (1) early wound closure, (2) scarring suppression, and (3) pain relief were seen with grafts of cryopreserved allo-CEG in cases of childhood DDB. These observations show that cryopreserved allo-CEG is clinically useful and effective for the treatment of childhood DDB.

Effect of System-Wide Interventions on the Assessment and Treatment of Pain by Emergency Medical Services Providers

BACKGROUND

An estimated 20% of patients arriving by ambulance to the emergency department are in moderate to severe pain. However, the management of pain in the prehospital setting has been shown to be inadequate. Untreated pain may have negative physiologic and psychological consequences. The prehospital community has acknowledged this inadequacy and made treatment of pain a priority.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if system-wide pain management improvement efforts (i.e. education and protocol implementation) improve the assessment of pain and treatment with opioid medications in the prehospital setting and to determine if improvements are maintained over time.

METHODS

This was a retrospective before and after study of a countywide prehospital patient care database. The study population included all adult patients transported by EMS between February 2004 and February 2012 with a working assessment of trauma or burn. EMS patient care records were searched for documentation of pain scores and opioid administration. Four time periods were examined: 1) before interventions, 2) after pediatric specific pain management education, 3) after pain management protocol implementation, and 4) maintenance phase. Frequencies and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all patients meeting the inclusion criteria in each time period and Chi-square was used to compare frequencies between time periods.

RESULTS

15,228 adult patients transported by EMS during the study period met the inclusion criteria. Subject demographics were similar between the four time periods. Pain score documentation improved between the time periods but was not maintained over time (13% [95%CI 12-15%] to 32% [95%CI 31-34%] to 29% [95 CI 27-30%] to 19% [95%CI 18-21%]). Opioid administration also improved between the time periods and was maintained over time (7% [95%CI 6-8%] to 18% [95%CI 16-19%] to 24% [95%CI 22-25%] to 23% [95% CI 22-24%]).

CONCLUSIONS

In adult patients both pediatric-focused education and pain protocol implementation improved the administration of opioid pain medications. Documentation and assessment of pain scores was less affected by specific pain management improvement efforts.