Managing Pain in Elderly Rib Fracture Patients (>65 years)

Managing Pain in Elderly Rib Fracture Patients (>65 years) - #9

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Review an algorithm for pain management of rib fractures.

Hospitalized elderly patients with rib fractures.

Implement an effective pain management protocol for elderly patients hospitalized with rib fractures.

  1. Explain the underlying etiology of acute rib fracture pain in elderly patients.
  2. List pulmonary complications which may result from poor pain management.
  3. Apply the “Pain Plan” for elderly rib fracture patients correctly in patient care.
  1. Bulger EM, Arneson MA, Mock CN, Jurkovich GJ. Rib fractures in the elderly. J Trauma. Jun 2000; 48(6):1040-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10866248
  2. Carrier FM, Turgeon AF, Nicole PC, Trepanier CA, Fergusson DA, Thauvette D, Lessard MR.  Effect of epidural analgesia in patients with traumatic rib fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.  Canadian Journal of Anesthesiology 2009; 56(3):230-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19247744
  3. Simon BJ, Chu Q, Emhoff TA, Fiallo VM, Lee KF.  Delayed hemothorax after blunt thoracic trauma: An uncommon entity with significant morbidity.  J Trauma 1998; 45:673-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9783603
  4. Winters BA.  Older adults with traumatic rib fractures: an evidence-based approach to their care.  J Trauma Nurs. Apr 2009; 16(2):93-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=older+adults+with+traumatic+rib+tractures+an+evidence+based+approach
  5. Lanza FL, Chan FK, Quigley EM. Guidelines for prevention of NSAID-Related ulcer complications. Am J gastroenterology 2009; 104(3):728-38. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19240698
This GFF ___ my competence in geriatrics.

Jeremy Juern MD, John Petronovich, Travis Webb, MD, Kathryn Denson MD, Bambi Wessel

Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.