A survey of postoperative pediatric pain management among seven hospitals in northeastern Thailand. | [Anaesthesia, Pain and Intensive Care • 2014]

Author(s):

1. Somboon Thienthong: Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

2. Wimonrat Sriraj: Faculty of medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

3. Pulsuk Siripul: Faculty of Nursing Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

4. Allen Finley: IWK Health Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

5. Kesanee Boonyawattanangkool: Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

6. Sucheela Kasetwetin: Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Abstract:

Background: Health professionals often underestimate children`s pain and do not treat it as a priority. To raise awareness, the International Association for the Study of Pain has launched a campaign "Global Year against Pain in Children" in 2005, but evidence shows that the pain in children still remains undertreated. Objective: to determine the prevalence of postoperative pain and the methods for pain treatment in pediatric patients Methodology: This survey was done on a one-day period in 7 hospitals in northeastern Thailand. Participants were all in-patient children of the age 1 during the past 24 hrs), patients` perception of receiving pain treatment. Self report pain was measured with the use of either numerical rating scale (0 to 10 scales) or the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (0-5 faces). For those who were unable to self report pain, the Neonatal Infant Pain scale was used. Types of surgery, days after surgery, prescription for pain relief and non-pharmacological measures used for pain relief were also recorded. Results: One hundred and thirty three of 487 patients (27.3%) were surgical cases. The prevalence of postoperative pain during the past 24 hrs was 69.2%, but those who had moderate to severe pain was 43.6%. Most of children (78.2%) experienced mild or no pain at the time of interview. Almost a half (44.6%) of them perceived they had pain medication upon request and more than half of them (60.1%) used non-pharmacological methods for supplementary pain relief. Two most common prescribed medications were paracetamol (51.9%) and morphine (25.6%). The proportion of medication administered to patients was less than those found in the prescription such as 24.8% vs 51.9% for paracetamol and 8.3% vs 25.6% for IV morphine. Only three conventional routes, oral, intravenous and intramuscular /subcutaneous routes, were found in the prescription for pain treatment. Conclusion: Postoperative pain remains undertreated in northeastern Thailand. We need to raise awareness level and improve the understanding and the knowledge about Postoperative pain and its management.

Page(s): 38-42

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Anaesthesia, Pain and Intensive Care, Volume: 18, Issue: 1, Year: 2014

Keywords:

Keywords are not available for this article.

References:

References are not available for this document.

Citations

Citations are not available for this document.

Citations

Downloads

Views