Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Patients with chronic pain who frequent emergency departments present a challenge to health care providers. Mental health, substance abuse, and pain issues are difficult to distinguish in fast-paced clinical settings, and significant symptoms may remain unaddressed. This pilot study sought to determine whether electronically delivered screening tools measuring pain and mood could identify areas to target for improving emergency care. ⋯ Online surveys delivered to patients with chronic pain detected unmet needs for depression and persisting high levels of pain interference after ED encounters. Adding mood-specific screening tools to pain assessments may be necessary in clinical settings to identify depression and refer for appropriate treatment.
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As an emergency nurse, finding time to familiarize oneself with arterial-line monitoring or a new piece of equipment is often impossible. A group of staff nurses recognized the need for more "hands-on" learning and pursued a method to make our education more meaningful. A hospital general nursing skills day offered little benefit to ED nursing staff who are tasked with more specialized skills. It was imperative to develop an efficient process to prepare the ED nurses to provide best practice and care to their patients.