A Novel Electronic Method of Collecting Pain Scores in the Emergency Department (PIMPERNEL)

University of Leicester

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pain, Acute

Treatments: Other: PIMPERNEL Novel Electronic Log: Pain display is hidden; Other: PIMPERNEL Novel Electronic Log: Pain display can be seen

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03881982

0588

IRAS 210798 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Can a novel electronic display of pain be successfully used in the emergency department and does it (1) change analgesic prescription and (2) change amount of pain experienced? Pain is a common symptom in emergency care. As patients are seldom reassessed, staff may not be aware of pain. Currently, members of nursing or medical staff need to ask patients about their pain and record it manually using a visual analogue scale from 0-10.

The new electronic display uses buttons to represent a pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). Patients will select the number that best corresponds to their pain every 15 minutes. In the experimental group, the score will be displayed on a screen. In the control group, the score will not be displayed. The investigators will compare the overall amount of pain in both groups, and will look at their pain management (painkillers prescribed). The investigators will also ask patients and staff for their opinions on the display.

The study will include adult patients in the emergency department at Leicester Royal Infirmary with an initial pain score of 5 or more who are able to make a decision about whether to participate. Participants will also need to be likely to stay in the hospital for more than 2 hours to allow the investigators to gather enough useful data. The study will recruit 200 participants. If the study can demonstrate that the monitor is acceptable to patients and staff and results in improved pain management, it is a low cost intervention which could be widely implemented within the NHS. It also has the potential for being used in other areas such as surgical wards. The investigators have previously found that 300-400 patients per week in the department have moderate to severe pain and might therefore benefit from this monitor.

Enrollment: 105 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• adult (18 years and over)
• underlying condition giving rise to significant pain (initial VAS pain score of 5 or more)
• likely to be staying in the hospital for at least 2 hours
• willing and able to give informed consent
• able to understand and speak a good level of English

Exclusion criteria

• children (under 18 years)
• patients not willing to undergo routine care (analgesic treatment)
• patients who do not have capacity to consent
• patients who are unwilling or unable to give informed consent
• prisoners
• patients who cannot understand the study information in English
• currently participating in another clinical trial as far as can be determined from information available at the time of assessment
• patients who have a physical or visual disability which will prevent them from holding or using the pain display

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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105 participants in 2 patient groups

PIMPERNEL Novel Electronic Log - intervention

Experimental group

Description:

The display is an electronic version of the 11 point NRS. An audible 'beep' every 15 minutes prompts the patient to record their pain level. The display measures 122mm x 30mm x 15mm. Through a wireless connection, the data from the display are transmitted to a display unit (a Nexus tablet).

Treatment:

Other: PIMPERNEL Novel Electronic Log: Pain display can be seen

PIMPERNEL Novel Electronic Log - control

Other group

Description:

The display is an electronic version of the 11 point NRS. An audible 'beep' every 15 minutes prompts the patient to record their pain level. The display measures 122mm x 30mm x 15mm. Through a wireless connection, the data from the display are transmitted to a display unit (a Nexus tablet).

Treatment:

Other: PIMPERNEL Novel Electronic Log: Pain display is hidden