We know from research and experience that one of the biggest fears for patients and families when coming to the hospital is getting needles—whether for blood draws, IV starts, or immunizations. To help make getting needles easier and less painful, we’ve adopted an evidence-based pain management program called The Comfort Promise. This promise, a collaboration with Minnesota Children's Hospital, is put simply as, “We will do everything possible to prevent and treat pain.”
Evidence shows that the following four steps make needles less painful and scary for children:
- Topical Numbing Cream
- Sugar water for babies (12 months or younger) or breastfeeding/skin to skin
- Comfort Positioning
- Distraction
As care providers, we’re happy that we can provide comfort before, during, and after needle procedures.
One example is Child Life support offered at Blood Collection.
Strong evidence of institutional commitment to pain prevention and treatment has led to the ChildKind International certification of IWK Health Centre. The IWK Centre of Pediatric Pain Research has long been recognized as being among the world’s leaders in ongoing research and advocacy. IWK Health also partnered in the development of Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) and was a key player in the creation of the recently released Health Standard on Pediatric Pain which guides the appropriate provision of pain-related health care for children. Being recognized as ChildKind Certified shows an institutional commitment to reducing pain in children by showing evidence of meeting the Five Principles of ChildKind which include the following:
- Principle 1: An institutional commitment to pain prevention, assessment, and treatment.
- Principle 2: Ongoing education programs and awareness initiatives on pain for staff, trainees, patients and any of their caregivers.
- Principle 3: Use of evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate processes for assessment of acute and chronic pain.
- Principle 4: Specific evidence informed protocols for pain prevention and treatment including pharmacological, psychological, and physical methods.
- Principle 5: Regular institutional self-monitoring within the framework of continuous quality improvement.
The organizational commitment to creating a pain culture was evident to staff and patients who can physically observe the lanyards and buttons, distraction materials, painted murals in procedural areas, and signage prominently displayed in the emergency department and patient care units. There were screensavers on computers as a further reminder to staff of Comfort Promise. Clear lines of accountability were described and it was emphasized that the relatively small size of patient care units allowed people from various disciplines to interact and help each other regarding appropriate pain care. Additional evidence of an institution’s commitment to comfort is in the presence of child life workers, who are extremely valuable in reducing a child’s fear and anxiety and enhancing the child and family’s experience. IWK has 15 child life specialists who are present in the Emergency Department, blood labs, and in the inpatient units.
These reasons have led to the recognition that IWK Health has made a significant commitment to eliminating needless suffering in children and thus is awarded as a ChildKind Certified Hospital.
Please provide us with any feedback or experiences in relation to pain management, treatment or assessment.