Is it time to change? The use of intranasal fentanyl for severe pain in the pre-hospital setting
Parkinson, Martin
Parkinson, Martin
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Abstract
Abstract published with permission.
The treatment of pain is a commonplace issue for today’s paramedics, where
the need for new analgesics to overcome cannulation barriers is gathering
momentum. Intranasal fentanyl has proven itself to be a very safe and effective
form of analgesia that overcomes those barriers and can help paramedics
provide a higher standard of care. Although research into its use in the prehospital environment is still limited, evidence of its effectiveness in the accident
and emergency department has highlighted its potential for helping paramedics
treat severe pain where venous access is compromised. Studies have shown that
intranasal fentanyl compares with the analgesic standard set by intravenous
morphine and is rapidly becoming the drug of choice in the paediatric accident
and emergency department.