Paramedic analgesia comparing ketamine and morphine in trauma (PACKMaN)

Pain after traumatic injury is common, yet few patients receive adequate pain relief. NHS Paramedics have a limited formulary with which to treat severe pain. Ketamine may be an ideal prehospital analgesic agent due to its rapid onset of action, superior analgesic properties and haemodynamic safety.

The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of ketamine and morphine, among adult patients with severe pain following trauma and who are attended by paramedics within the context of a pragmatic, blinded, individually randomised, controlled trial, in two NHS Ambulance Trusts.