Pain assessment continues to be poorly managed in the clinical arena. A review of the communication process in pain assessment is carried out and the hierarchical approach often recommended in the literature -with self-report as its "gold-standard," is criticized as limited and simplistic. A comprehensive approach to pain assessment is recommended and a model that conceptualizes pain assessment as a complex transaction with various patient and clinician dependant factors is proposed. Attention is then focused on the pediatric patient whose pain assessment is often dependent on nonverbal communicative action. The clinical approaches to pain assessment in this population -mainly the use of behavioral/observational pain scales and facial pain scales, are explored. The primal face of pain (PFP) is identified and proposed theoretically as an important link in the function of facial pain scales. Finally, the existence of the PFP is investigated in a sample of 57 neonates across differences in sex and ethnic origin while controlling for potentially confounding factors. Facial expression to a painful stimulus is measured based on the Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) and applying an innovative computer-based methodology. No statistically significant differences in facial expression were found in infant display thereby supporting the existence of the PFP.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a eficácia de uma intervenção não-farmacológica de distração no alívio de dor aguda em crianças hospitalizadas submetidas a procedimentos dolorosos por demanda clínica, controlando variáveis de estresse e catastrofização de dor. O delineamento do estudo foi um ensaio clínico randomizado cruzado (cross-over). A amostra do estudo foi composta por 40 crianças na fase escolar (6 a 11 anos), que estavam internadas na Enfermaria de Pediatria do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-USP e que foram submetidas a procedimento de punção venosa ou arterial prescrito por demanda clínica. Os participantes foram randomizados em dois grupos, sendo que todas as crianças receberam a intervenção e foram controles de si mesmas, mas em dois períodos distintos. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do hospital. Inicialmente, avaliações do estresse e catastrofização de dor foram processadas, utilizando-se, respectivamente, a Escala de Estresse Infantil (ESI) e a Escala de Catastrofização de Dor para Crianças (PCS-C), a fim de controlar essas variáveis. Para avaliação da intensidade de dor foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: Escala Visual Analógica (VAS) e Escala de Faces Revisada (FPS-R). Na coleta de dados, o Grupo 1 recebeu a intervenção de distração audiovisual antes e durante um procedimento de punção realizado pela enfermeira e, em outro dia um segundo procedimento de punção foi realizado sem intervenção. No Grupo 2, por sua vez, o procedimento ocorreu de forma inversa, sendo primeiramente sem intervenção e posteriormente com intervenção. A intervenção constituiu-se na distração audiovisual com o direcionamento da atenção da criança antes e durante o procedimento doloroso para filmes de curta metragem com temáticas infantis. Após a conclusão dos procedimentos de punção eram aplicadas as duas escalas de dor para avaliar a percepção da intensidade de dor pelas crianças. A análise de variância ANOVA 2 X 2 com comparação entre- e intra-grupos foi processada com a finalidade de atender ao objetivo do estudo. O nível de significância adotado em todas as análises realizadas no presente estudo foi de 5%. Os resultados mostraram que os dois grupos foram semelhantes nas medidas basais de estresse e catastrofização de dor; não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas nessas variáveis. Verificou-se que houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos nos períodos com e sem intervenção da distração; os escores em ambas as escalas FPS-R e VAS mostraram-se menores no período com distração em comparação ao período sem intervenção. Além disso, a sequência de exposição da distração nos grupos e o período em que foi realizada a distração também interferiram significativamente no efeito da intervenção de distração. A análise do efeito carry-over mostrou que aproximadamente 30% dos efeitos estimados no alívio de dor foram atribuídos exclusivamente à intervenção de distração. Em conclusão, a intervenção de distração audiovisual foi eficaz na redução da percepção da intensidade de dor durante o procedimento doloroso agudo em crianças hospitalizadas. A técnica de distração pode ser recomendada como uma estratégia não-farmacológica simples e eficaz para alívio da dor aguda, podendo ser implementada na prática clínica em ambientes de cuidados pediátricos. / The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a non-pharmacological intervention of distraction for acute pain relief in hospitalized children undergoing painful procedures by clinical demand, controlling variables of stress and pain catastrophizing. The study design was a crossover randomized controlled trial. The sample was composed of 40 children at school age (6-11 years), who was admitted in the pediatric ward of the Hospital of Clinics of Ribeirão Preto Medical School-USP and who underwent venipuncture or arterial puncture prescribed by clinical demand. Participants were randomized into two groups and all children that received the intervention were themselves controls, in two different periods. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics on Research of the Hospital. Initially, the stress and pain catastrophizing assessments were performed using The Child Stress Scale (CSS) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children (PCS-C), respectively, aiming to control these variables. The instuments used for pain assessment were the following: The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and The Faces Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R). In the data collection, the Group 1 received the audiovisual distraction intervention before and during the puncture performed by the nurse and in another day a second puncture was performed without intervention. Contrarily, in Group 2 the procedure was first without intervention and subsequently with intervention in another day. The intervention consisted in audiovisual distraction by focusing the child\'s attention before and during the painful procedure to short films about infant thematics. The two pain scales were applied after the puncture procedures to assess the childrens perception of pain intensity. An ANOVA 2 X 2 analyses of variance was performed including between- and within-groups comparisons. The level of significance adopted in all analyzes of the present study was 5%. The results showed that the two groups were similar in the baseline of stress and pain catastrophizing outcomes; there were no significant differences between the groups in these variables. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in the periods with and without distraction intervention; the scores in both scales FPS-R and VAS were lower during distraction compared with the no intervention period. Furthermore, the sequence of exposure of the distraction in the groups and the period that distraction was performed also significantly interfered in the effect of distraction intervention. The analysis of the carry-over effect showed that around 30% of the estimated effects on pain reliefing were attributed to the distraction intervention. In conclusion, the intervention of audiovisual distraction was efficacy in reducing the perception of pain intensity during routine acute painful procedure in hospitalized children. The findings of the present study endorse that distraction is a simple and efficacious non-pharmacological management for acute pain relief, which could be implemented in clinical practice of pediatric care settings.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a eficácia de uma intervenção não-farmacológica de distração no alívio de dor aguda em crianças hospitalizadas submetidas a procedimentos dolorosos por demanda clínica, controlando variáveis de estresse e catastrofização de dor. O delineamento do estudo foi um ensaio clínico randomizado cruzado (cross-over). A amostra do estudo foi composta por 40 crianças na fase escolar (6 a 11 anos), que estavam internadas na Enfermaria de Pediatria do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto-USP e que foram submetidas a procedimento de punção venosa ou arterial prescrito por demanda clínica. Os participantes foram randomizados em dois grupos, sendo que todas as crianças receberam a intervenção e foram controles de si mesmas, mas em dois períodos distintos. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do hospital. Inicialmente, avaliações do estresse e catastrofização de dor foram processadas, utilizando-se, respectivamente, a Escala de Estresse Infantil (ESI) e a Escala de Catastrofização de Dor para Crianças (PCS-C), a fim de controlar essas variáveis. Para avaliação da intensidade de dor foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: Escala Visual Analógica (VAS) e Escala de Faces Revisada (FPS-R). Na coleta de dados, o Grupo 1 recebeu a intervenção de distração audiovisual antes e durante um procedimento de punção realizado pela enfermeira e, em outro dia um segundo procedimento de punção foi realizado sem intervenção. No Grupo 2, por sua vez, o procedimento ocorreu de forma inversa, sendo primeiramente sem intervenção e posteriormente com intervenção. A intervenção constituiu-se na distração audiovisual com o direcionamento da atenção da criança antes e durante o procedimento doloroso para filmes de curta metragem com temáticas infantis. Após a conclusão dos procedimentos de punção eram aplicadas as duas escalas de dor para avaliar a percepção da intensidade de dor pelas crianças. A análise de variância ANOVA 2 X 2 com comparação entre- e intra-grupos foi processada com a finalidade de atender ao objetivo do estudo. O nível de significância adotado em todas as análises realizadas no presente estudo foi de 5%. Os resultados mostraram que os dois grupos foram semelhantes nas medidas basais de estresse e catastrofização de dor; não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas nessas variáveis. Verificou-se que houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos nos períodos com e sem intervenção da distração; os escores em ambas as escalas FPS-R e VAS mostraram-se menores no período com distração em comparação ao período sem intervenção. Além disso, a sequência de exposição da distração nos grupos e o período em que foi realizada a distração também interferiram significativamente no efeito da intervenção de distração. A análise do efeito carry-over mostrou que aproximadamente 30% dos efeitos estimados no alívio de dor foram atribuídos exclusivamente à intervenção de distração. Em conclusão, a intervenção de distração audiovisual foi eficaz na redução da percepção da intensidade de dor durante o procedimento doloroso agudo em crianças hospitalizadas. A técnica de distração pode ser recomendada como uma estratégia não-farmacológica simples e eficaz para alívio da dor aguda, podendo ser implementada na prática clínica em ambientes de cuidados pediátricos. / The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a non-pharmacological intervention of distraction for acute pain relief in hospitalized children undergoing painful procedures by clinical demand, controlling variables of stress and pain catastrophizing. The study design was a crossover randomized controlled trial. The sample was composed of 40 children at school age (6-11 years), who was admitted in the pediatric ward of the Hospital of Clinics of Ribeirão Preto Medical School-USP and who underwent venipuncture or arterial puncture prescribed by clinical demand. Participants were randomized into two groups and all children that received the intervention were themselves controls, in two different periods. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics on Research of the Hospital. Initially, the stress and pain catastrophizing assessments were performed using The Child Stress Scale (CSS) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children (PCS-C), respectively, aiming to control these variables. The instuments used for pain assessment were the following: The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and The Faces Pain Scale Revised (FPS-R). In the data collection, the Group 1 received the audiovisual distraction intervention before and during the puncture performed by the nurse and in another day a second puncture was performed without intervention. Contrarily, in Group 2 the procedure was first without intervention and subsequently with intervention in another day. The intervention consisted in audiovisual distraction by focusing the child\'s attention before and during the painful procedure to short films about infant thematics. The two pain scales were applied after the puncture procedures to assess the childrens perception of pain intensity. An ANOVA 2 X 2 analyses of variance was performed including between- and within-groups comparisons. The level of significance adopted in all analyzes of the present study was 5%. The results showed that the two groups were similar in the baseline of stress and pain catastrophizing outcomes; there were no significant differences between the groups in these variables. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in the periods with and without distraction intervention; the scores in both scales FPS-R and VAS were lower during distraction compared with the no intervention period. Furthermore, the sequence of exposure of the distraction in the groups and the period that distraction was performed also significantly interfered in the effect of distraction intervention. The analysis of the carry-over effect showed that around 30% of the estimated effects on pain reliefing were attributed to the distraction intervention. In conclusion, the intervention of audiovisual distraction was efficacy in reducing the perception of pain intensity during routine acute painful procedure in hospitalized children. The findings of the present study endorse that distraction is a simple and efficacious non-pharmacological management for acute pain relief, which could be implemented in clinical practice of pediatric care settings.

Emergence delirium (ED), also known as emergence agitation, is a postoperative condition characterized by aberrant cognitive and psychomotor behaviors following general anesthesia. The incidence of ED is 3 to 8 times higher in children 5 years of age or less. There is no standard of nursing practice for managing ED symptoms in the pediatric surgical population. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to address a gap in knowledge needed to inform clinical decision-making when managing ED in the postoperative setting. Using an educational presentation for post anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses, this project introduced the use of non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate symptoms of ED in the pediatric population as inspired by The Green Star Initiative, an Army program at Fort Carson. The project aim was to describe the effectiveness of ED-specific interventions from the nursing perspective. Using tenets of the Iowa model, this quality improvement project included a needs assessment survey, PowerPoint presentation, parent education leaflet, ED cheat sheet, and a post-intervention survey. Applying the context, input, process, product model for evaluation, this project increased knowledge of ED-specific interventions used by nurses that demonstrates a change in clinical decision-making. PACU nurses rated the interventions 43% effective on pediatric patients. This project addressed the gap in practice by providing structured education on ED, inspiring the use of ED-specific interventions, and promoting readiness to care for the pediatric surgical population. Outcomes add to the nursing literature by introducing ED-specific interventions to manage pediatric ED in facilities nationwide. A social implication of this project is to improve the care of pediatric surgical patients.

Résumé : Introduction : La prise en charge de la douleur aiguë pédiatrique persiste à être sous-optimale. Cette situation est souvent expliquée par la présence de barrières qui nuisent à l’application des connaissances. Depuis plus de 10 ans, un protocole standardisé (algorithme) basé sur une échelle d’auto-évaluation est utilisé au CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS afin de traiter la douleur aiguë chez les enfants hospitalisés âgés entre 5 et 17 ans. Les infirmières pédiatriques ont demandé d’adapter cet algorithme afin de pouvoir l’utiliser chez les enfants plus jeunes. Pour ce faire, nous devions débuter par établir l’état des lieux de la gestion de la douleur pédiatrique. Puisqu’aucune échelle d’hétéro-évaluation de la douleur n’était utilisée au CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, l’échelle EVENDOL fut implantée. Objectifs : 1. Répertorier les scores de douleur avec l’échelle EVENDOL, les analgésiques prescrits et administrés pour les enfants âgés de 1 à 7 ans hospitalisés pour une condition douloureuse; 2. Évaluer la satisfaction et les changements de pratique des infirmières et infirmières auxiliaires suite à l’implantation de l’échelle EVENDOL. Méthodologie : 1. Une étude de cohorte fut réalisée. Tous les enfants âgés de 1 à 7 ans hospitalisés pour douleur aiguë furent inclus. Les scores de douleur ainsi que l’analgésie prescrite et reçue ont été relevés dans chacun des dossiers des enfants recrutés; 2. Les appréciations des infirmières furent consignées. Résultats : 1. Quarante patients ont participé à l’étude : 24 pour des soins chirurgicaux et 16 pour des soins médicaux. Un total de 260 scores de douleur fut relevé : la moyenne de douleur selon l’échelle EVENDOL fut de 2,3 (ÉT = 3,2) sur 15 (score maximal représentant une douleur sévère). Seulement 12 évaluations de douleur sur un total de 260 relevées furent cotées sévères (≥ 10/15); ces enfants avec douleur sévère ont reçu une analgésie proportionnelle à leur niveau de douleur. L’ensemble des patients a reçu une analgésie multimodale (deux analgésiques ou plus) dans une proportion de 95%. Plus de la moitié des prescriptions PRN (au besoin) ont été administrées sur un horaire régulier par les infirmières; 2. Les infirmières ont trouvé l’échelle simple d’utilisation à 93%. Le score global de satisfaction fut de 6,7/10. Conclusion : Les enfants ont reçu une analgésie multimodale de façon régulière et appropriée selon l’évaluation basée sur l’échelle EVENDOL. De plus, très peu de douleurs sévères furent notées. Nous suggérons que les infirmières ont donc transposé les principes de l’algorithme des 5-17 ans chez les enfants âgés de 1 à 7 ans. Ainsi, le projet subséquent de démontrer l’efficacité d’un algorithme chez les 1-7 ans fut jugé inopportun. L’application des connaissances peut être facilitée en contrant plusieurs barrières nuisant à une prise en charge optimale de la douleur en utilisant un algorithme. / Abstract : Background: Pediatric pain remains sub-optimally controlled. Many existing barriers that prevent knowledge translation (KT) are often mentioned as a reason for this situation. We used an algorithm based on an auto-evaluation scale in the CIUSSS of Estrie-CHUS for over 10 years for the 5 to 17 old hospitalized children. Pediatrics nurses ask to adapt this algorithm for using it with younger children. To do so, we had to dress an inventory of pediatric pain management. Because no hetero-evaluation scale was use in our pediatric ward, the EVENDOL scale had to be implemented. Objective: 1. Describe pain scores from the EVENDOL scale plus the prescribed and administrated analgesia from 1-7 years old hospitalized children with painful condition. 2. To evaluate the satisfaction and practice changes of nurses following the EVENDOL scale implementation. Methods: 1. This study used a cohort design. All children 1 to 7 years old admitted for painful medical or surgical conditions were evaluated using EVENDOL. Pain values and analgesia were noted for each patient by electronic and paper charting. 2. Satisfaction within the nursing staff were also evaluated. Results: 1. Forty children participate at this study: 24 were under surgical care and 16 under medical care. A total of 260 pain measurements were documented. The mean EVENDOL scores were 2.3 (SD 3.2) on 15 (maximal score that represent an intolerable pain). Only 12 of 260 pain assessments were in the severe pain category (≥ 10/15). These children with severe pain received an appropriate and timely analgesia. Overall 95% of this cohort received multimodal analgesia which are two or more types of pain medication. More than 50% of prescribed PRN medications were given on a regular basis. 2. Nurses’ ease of EVENDOL use was rated at 93%. Nurses’ global satisfaction score about the scale was 6.7/10. Conclusions: Children received a multimodal and a regular based analgesia combined to a valuable pain evaluation using the EVENDOL scale. Therefore, a low rate of severe pain was noted. We suggest that nurses spontaneously transposed the pre-existing 5 to 17 years old standardised analgesia protocol and used it in the 1-7-years-old group. Thereby, evaluating experimental group after algorithm implementation was irrelevant. KT can be facilitated to overcome several barriers to PPM by combined the use of an algorithm with several factors.