Articles: pain-management.
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Chronic pain is a significant public health concern. Care for patients with chronic pain is complex and involves many intersecting systems, policies, and procedures. Applying systems engineering concepts to chronic pain management opens the door to addressing a wide range of performance gaps through a structured, evidence-based approach. Successful implementation of systems-based practice includes effectively incorporating interprofessional teamwork, community resources, team-based care, patient safety, hospital readmissions, use of evidence-based medicine, transitions of care, and care for the underserved, including social determinants of health into the routine delivery of health care services including pain management.
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Low back pain (LBP) leads to more than 4.3 million emergency department (ED) visits annually. Despite the number of ED visits for LBP, emergency medicine societies have not established clear guidelines for the evaluation and care of these patients. This study aims to describe patterns in the evaluation, treatment, and outcomes of patients presenting to an urban, academic ED for atraumatic LBP. ⋯ Patients receiving ED care for LBP had a significant improvement in PROMIS PFSF-12a scores 6 weeks after the ED but return to function continued to lag despite interventions. Imaging patterns, medication prescriptions, and outpatient follow-up varied widely, emphasizing the needs for clear guidelines and treatment pathways for ED patients with LBP.