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Table 2 Policies and reported practices towards pain management in children

From: Pain management policies and practices in pediatric emergency care: a nationwide survey of Italian hospitals

 

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)

  1. *Answers were not mutually exclusively.