Impact of a Chronic Pain Protocol on Emergency Department Utilization

Objectives Patients suffering from chronic painful conditions frequently present to the emergency department (ED) for pain control. In an effort to better manage these patients we implemented and measured the effect of enrollment in a chronic pain protocol in a single ED. Methods A retrospective (pre) and prospective (post) study design was utilized. We identified 46 frequent ED users suffering from chronic painful conditions. We then retrospectively documented their ED use and prescription controlled substance use for 6 months prior to enrollment in a chronic pain protocol and then 6 months postenrollment. Results Preenrollment participating patients visited the ED on average 6.2 times in a 6‐month period. Postenrollment their mean number of visits in the following 6 months decreased significantly to 2.2 times, or a 65% decrease (p