Infection Control

Pediatric pain treatment fails to eliminate all patient pain, study finds

Patient Safety Monitor Insider, July 10, 2012

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Eighty-six percent of pediatric patients experience pain and 40% experience moderate or severe pain despite treatment, according to a study published in Pain Management Nursing. Researchers conducted a survey and medical chart review of nearly 200 patients between the ages of seven days and 21 years treated at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, and found that some patients experiences persistent pain regardless of appropriate and timely treatment. The findings reflect a need for increased understanding in pain among pediatric patients, according to researchers.

The study also found that female pediatric patients reported higher pain scores than male pediatric patients, even when matched by age and procedure type. Additionally, only one-third of children prescribed opioids “as needed” actually received the medication, which implies that patients’ needs may not be properly verbalized or conveyed to the healthcare team, according to researchers.

Source: Newswise



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