Abstract(s)
Background. It is well known that preterm neonates can feel pain which can be expressed through
specific behaviors and signs. Repeated and untreated pain has consequences for the preterm
neonates such as hypersensitivity to pain, as well as important repercussions on their motor and
intellectual development. The use of non-pharmacological interventions for pain management by
nurses is imperative to prevent these consequences in the NICU. The aim of this study is to survey
neonatal nurses’ interventions for pain management of preterm neonates.
Methods. Twenty (20) nurses were recruited for this pilot observational survey study. Standard
pain management interventions used by nurses during heel prick were evaluated by means of a
questionnaire. In addition, 11 out of the 20 nurses were observed during heel prick to evaluate what
and how interventions were done.
Results. All infants (n=11) received at least one pain management intervention during heel prick.
Heterogeneity in pain management practices used by nurses is considerable. For 95% (19/20) of
nurses, sucrose is a standard intervention reported in the survey but observations showed that it not
always applied (64%). Positioning is more used (64%) by nurses than reported in the survey (45%).
Swaddling also was also reported as a standard intervention by 45% of nurses, but it does not
appear to be adequately performed (36%).
Conclusion. According to the results, it would be essential to review nurses’ knowledge and skills
regarding standard pain management interventions, during painful procedures, as the quality of
these practices is questionable. Homogeneity of the standard of care is particularly important in
research to allow an appropriate comparison between study groups and prevention study bias.