Study of Respiratory Depression When Using a Hydromorphone Pain Protocol

This is a study about the efficiency and safety of a 1mg+1mg hydromorphone pain management protocol for the treatment of moderate to sever pain in the Emergency Department. Appropriate patients 60 years and older who present with a condition that causes moderate to severe pain, according to the attending physician's judgment, in which the physician would order the use of parenteral analgesia will be enrolled in one of two study arms, "1+1" versus usual care group. 1+1 patients will receive 1mg hydromorphone followed by another 1mg after 15 minutes if pain persists. Usual care group patients will have pain treated per the discretion of the attending physician. Respiratory status, vital signs, and pain scores will be monitor to assess the efficiency of pain control as well as the safety of pain medicine administration in terms of respiratory depression.