Use of analgesics in surgical emergency patients
Buanes, T.; Andersen, G.P.; Kåresen, R.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 105(4): 302-304
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 3983928 Document Number: 260720
Analgesics given to emergency patients before they were referred to hospital were recorded. In a 12 wk period 964 patients were admitted to the surgical department. Information of the use of analgesics was available in 828 cases (86%) and of these 98 (12%) had been given such medication before they were sent to the hospital. In the trauma group only 30 patients received analgesics; 195 (87%) had no medication. Of patients with an acute abdomen 40 were given analgesics: 278 (87%) received no such treatment. Three patients given opiate analgesics had a possible but doubtful delay in necessary surgical treatment. Other unwanted side effects of analgesic treatment could not be found; they are apparently given too seldom, especially to injured patients.