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To establish a reliable method for the organization to monitor the pain management strategies of the pediatric and neonatal patient population and to determine national comparative data for complete pain assessment, intervention, reassessment (AIR) cycle in hospitalized pediatric/neonatal population
Significance:
Without a standardized method for data collection related to pediatric and neonatal pain assessment, intervention and reassessment, it was difficult to determine if pain management strategies were being implemented and documented at the bedside consistently.
Strategy and Implementation:
February of 2010 the first prevalence study was conducted by three members of the hospital Nursing Pain Management Committee using the NDNQI Pain Assessment/Intervention/Reassessment cycle report. Two new evidence based pain assessment tools were introduced during that time as well. After the first study was complete, learning opportunities were identified related to assessment and documentation of pediatric/neonatal pain. Documentation did not consistently reflect follow through with the complete pain assessment, intervention and reassessment cycle. Additional education and communication was provided to define what presence of pain was and to establish a unit standard for when an intervention was necessary and when it was appropriate to document no pain in the pediatric and neonatal population.
Evaluation:
Quarterly data will be submitted to NDNQI for the Pediatric/Neonatal population AIR Cycle indicator and in addition the pediatric and neonatal committee representatives will complete the same report on a monthly basis and submit their data to the Nursing Pain Committee and their respective manager.
Implications for Practice:
Through consitent use of evidence based age specific pain scales, nurses will have the tools at the bedside to conduct a complete pain assessment, implement interventions and reassessment of pain.