First things first, thank you all for the tremendous response to the sedation/paralytic questions.
Now, on another subject of personal (and professional) interest. I would like to know what programs do with regards to trauma analgesia. In other words, Are there any programs that have in place, protocols for pain management for the trauma patient in the acute setting? Our program carries Fentanyl/Morphine for pain management, and have used both with great success.
I understand that some have the philosophy that acute trauma patients shouldn't be medicated until they are assessed by a trauma surgeon. Our program is unique in that, in our region, a scene call for an MVA, oil field accident, or farming accident can have a one way transport time of 45-60 minutes, and that is a long time to be hurting while being strapped to a backboard. We will, on occassion, use Fentanyl just to make the patient a little more comfortable until we reach the trauma center. We are currently in the process of revising our protocols regarding this issue.
