BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Changes to pain treatment are being implemented in emergency rooms.
A research study taking place at UVM Medical Center’s emergency room is comparing the safety of ketamine to fentanyl, but researchers are testing it on random emergency room patients.
The study, sponsored by the Department of Defense, is intended to help provide safer pain management. Scientists believe ketamine, an anesthetic and less addictive substance than the opiate fentanyl, has the potential to treat pain more safely.
“It reduces long-term negative outcomes, like chronic pain or PTSD and even mortality, but we want to be able to treat pain in the most effective and safest way,” said Dr. Dan Wolfson, a researcher at the UVM Medical Center.
The study will be conducted in hospitals across the country. Results are not expected for a couple of years. Anyone may opt out of the study by contacting the research team at 1-800-664-0557 or email PAINStudy@edc.pitt.edu to receive an opt-out “NO PAIN Study” bracelet. You can also learn more about the study by visiting NIH’s clinical trials website.
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New study explores replacing fentanyl with ketamine for pain management
