Patterns of interventions for analgesia for children presenting to a pediatric emergency department with supracondylar humerus fracture

• Main Author: Porter, Robert Neil
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2012
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/2382/; https://research.library.mun.ca/2382/1/Porter_RobertNeil.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/2382/3/Porter_RobertNeil.pdf

Objective: To describe practice patterns for analgesic treatment in children presenting with supracondylar humerus fracture to the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre Emergency Department (ED) in the Canadian Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. -- Design: Retrospective cohort study. -- Methods: A consecutive sample of 160 children treated by emergency physicians for supracondylar humerus fracture at the Janeway ED was obtained. Injuries were classified as non-severe or severe, and cases were compared with respect to analgesic measures undertaken. -- Results: The proportion of children treated with an analgesic at any time during their ED visit was 35% (57 cases). Severe cases were more likely to be given an analgesic than non-severe. Treatment with an analgesic early in the visit was very uncommon. -- Conclusion: Timely analgesic trretment in the ED for children with supracondylar fracture is low, even for more severe injuries. A multi-faceted approach to this problem is required.