The Department's research agenda is focused on providing evidence to inform pain treatment in the ED. Our faculty has been in the forefront of identifying optimal treatment for migraines and low back pain. We have also created and tested regimens that take into account the large variation in need for pain medication for a heterogeneous set of painful conditions. Studies include:
Randomized controlled trials of specific intravenous and oral analgesics, analgesic combinations and treatment regimens for abdominal pain, back pain and migraine headaches
Methodological studies of pain assessment
Studies are conducted at three sites, the Moses Division of Montefiore Medical Center, the Weiler Division of Montefiore Medical Center and Jacobi Medical Center.
Research Team
The core research team consists of E. John Gallagher, MD, Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine; Polly Bijur, PhD, MPH; Adrienne Birnbaum, MD, MS; Benjamin Friedman, MD, MS; Douglas Barnaby, MD, MS; and David Esses, MD. The research team meets weekly to design studies and review work in progress.
Research Resources
The Department supports a research staff of trained bilingual research associates who enroll patients in studies nearly 24 hours, seven days a week. They use an electronic data entry and management system, REDCap, that allows investigators to monitor their data in real time. A research pharmacist, Clemencia Solorzano, PharmD, is available to prepare medications and randomization schedules for randomized controlled trials. Dr. Bijur provides ongoing consultation on research design and statistics to members of the department.
Current Faculty Research Projects
A Composite Hemodynamic (Heart Rate Variability) and Biomarker (Mitochondrial DNA) Measure for the Early Detection of Severe Sepsis
PI: John Arbo, MD
Acetaminophen 1g IV vs Hydromorphone 1mg IV for the Treatment of Acute Pain in the Emergency Department
Hydromorphone Versus Prochlorperazine + Diphenhydramine for Treatment of Acute Migraine. A Randomized, Emergency Department Based, Comparative Efficacy Study