Interventions to Reduce Needle-Related Pain and Distress in Pediatric Patients CPG Synopsis-Interventions to Reduce Needle-Related Pain and Distress in Pediatric Patients CPG Synopsis

Interventions to Reduce Needle-Related Pain and Distress in Pediatric Patients CPG Synopsis

Pdf Summary

The Clinical Practice Guideline by the Emergency Nurses Association addresses interventions to reduce needle-related pain and distress in pediatric patients during emergency department visits. It focuses on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for managing pain and anxiety in children undergoing needle-related procedures, such as intravenous catheterization and venipuncture.<br /><br />The guideline notes that around 35 million pediatric emergency visits occur annually in the U.S., where children often encounter painful procedures, causing additional stress and anxiety. Poor pain management can result in long-term psychological effects and affect future pain responses. Barriers include misconceptions about time constraints, misrepresentation of pain as anxiety, insufficient pain assessments, and lack of knowledge about pain management.<br /><br />Interventions are categorized into several types with varying levels of recommendation based on evidence:<br /><br />1. **Behavioral Interventions**: <br />   - Breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and parent holding are beneficial for infants.<br />   - Age-appropriate use of distraction tools like toys and videos can reduce pain and distress.<br />   - Virtual reality devices and patient/parent education are also recommended.<br /><br />2. **Topical Anesthetics**:<br />   - Topical and transdermal anesthetic preparations are effective in reducing needle-related pain.<br />   - The evidence is conflicting regarding the benefit of vapocoolant sprays.<br /><br />3. **Pain Disruptors**: <br />   - Devices like the ShotBlocker are effective at reducing pain.<br />  <br />4. **Sucrose Solutions**: <br />   - Beneficial for distress but insufficient evidence for pain reduction.<br /><br />5. **Local Application of Ice and/or Vibration**: <br />   - Effective in reducing pain and distress.<br /><br />The guideline emphasizes individualized patient care, considering factors like age, culture, and previous experiences in pain assessment and management. It highlights the importance of evidence-based practices while acknowledging that clinical judgment and patient needs may necessitate different approaches.

Keywords

pediatric pain management

needle-related distress

emergency department

pharmacological strategies

non-pharmacological interventions

behavioral interventions

topical anesthetics

pain disruptors

sucrose solutions

individualized patient care