Acute pain and availability of analgesia in the prehospital emergency setting in Italy: a problem to be solved.

Objectives: The treatment of acute pain in the prehospital emergency setting remains a significant problem. We evaluated the incidence, site, and possible cause of acute pain in the prehospital period and also the current state of prehospital pain management by evaluating analgesic availability in emergency vehicles in Italy.

Methods: First aid volunteers documented the presence, intensity, and site of acute pain by questionnaire for over 3 months.