Table 2.
Policies and reported practices towards pain management in children
| |
At triage |
In ER |
|---|---|---|
| n (%) | n (%) | |
|
Pain assessment: |
|
|
| Never |
0 (0.0) |
1 (5.3) |
| Sometimes |
10 (52.6) |
10 (52.6) |
| Always |
9 (47.4) |
8 (42.1) |
|
Use of algometric scales: |
|
|
| No |
6 (31.6) |
10 (52.6) |
| Yes |
13 (68.4) |
9 (47.4) |
|
Results of pain assessment are recorded: |
|
|
| No |
5 (26.3) |
7 (36.8) |
| Yes |
14 (73.7) |
12 (63.2) |
|
Availability of protocols for pain treatment: |
|
|
| No |
11 (57.9) |
10 (52.6) |
| Yes |
8 (42.1) |
9 (47.4) |
|
Pain level contributes to priority determination at triage: |
|
|
| No |
11 (57.9) |
|
| Yes |
8 (42.1) |
|
|
Use of EMLA cream if blood sampling is anticipated: |
|
|
| Never/almost never (<10% of cases) |
12 (63.1) |
|
| Sometimes (10-50% of cases) |
5 (26.3) |
|
| Often/Always (>50% of cases) |
2 (10.6) |
|
|
Analgesic drugs mentioned in protocols (when available):* |
|
|
| Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) |
|
10 (52.6) |
| Paracetamol |
|
10 (52.6) |
| Opioids |
|
6 (31.6) |
| Adjuvants |
|
5 (26.3) |
|
Pain reassessment: |
|
|
| Never/almost never (<10% of cases) |
|
2 (10.5) |
| Sometimes (10-50% of cases) |
|
6 (31.6) |
| Often (51-90% of cases) |
|
8 (42.1) |
| Always/almost always (>90% of cases) |
|
3 (15.8) |
|
Parental role in the emergency room:* |
|
|
| Entering with the child |
|
19 (100) |
| Being present during painful procedures |
|
17 (89.5) |
| Holding the child during blood sampling | 11 (57.9) |
*Answers were not mutually exclusively.