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Pain management in Swedish neonatal units – a national survey
Article first published online: 7 MAY 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00826.x
©2008 The Author(s)/Journal Compilation ©2008 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica/Acta Pædiatrica
Additional Information
How to Cite
Eriksson, M. and Gradin, M. (2008), Pain management in Swedish neonatal units – a national survey. Acta Paediatrica, 97: 870–874. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00826.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 2 JUN 2008
- Article first published online: 7 MAY 2008
- Received 16 January 2008; revised 17 March 2008; accepted 3 April 2008.
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- Guidelines;
- Neonatal;
- Pain
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree to which Swedish neonatal units have adopted the national guidelines for prevention and treatment of pain in newborn infants.
Method: A survey was sent to all units in Sweden that provide neonatal care. For a list of potentially painful procedures, compiled from the national neonatal pain guidelines, the units were asked if they would use pharmacological and/or behavioural interventions, and in each case to specify the treatment.
Results: The response rate was 80.4%. Eighty-eight percent of the units had written guidelines for pain management, and 59% of these had been updated within the last 2 years. For almost every presented case, all units reported that they used either pharmacological or behavioural treatment or both. The survey showed a wide variation in morphine and paracetamol dosing and the absence of a paracetamol loading dose in a fourth of the units.
Conclusions: This study suggests that a majority of Swedish neonatal units have adopted pain management guidelines in concordance with the Swedish national guidelines, and kept them up-to-date. For most painful situations a variety of behavioural and pharmacological interventions are used, often in combination.