Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and community
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Earlier discharge following tonsillectomy increases the need for good pain management advice and effective analgesia. An audit determined the nature of children's pain experiences at home following tonsillectomy and identified pain management strategies used. ⋯ Pain could worsen following discharge, persist for three to ten days and be at times moderate to severe. 50% of parents contacted their GP and 75% of children required paracetamol and ibuprofen concurrently. Audit data was utilised to develop comprehensive written pain management advice and a discharge protocol for combined analgesia.
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Pain is an inevitable consequence following day surgery, but with effective regular pain relief minimal discomfort can be achieved. An information leaflet produced by a pain nurse specialist in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team ensures that comprehensible and non-contradictory information is given to parents. With the increased trend towards paediatric day surgery parents are significant contributors to their child's care in the postoperative period. Written information on pain relief after discharge can help parents make decisions about their child's pain management.
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Play is recognised as an essential component of a child's life. Playing with children in hospital can aid nurses in assessing, communicating and providing nursing care. ⋯ Play can benefit children, health carers and parents in the hospital setting. Play workshops encourage children's nurses to view play as an integral part of their role.
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Literature suggests that nurses do not prioritize pain management. This study aimed to determine the importance paediatric nurses give to pain management and whether they report a need for further training. ⋯ Educational deficits about some areas of pain management were identified. Educational provision about pain needs re-evaluating at both the pre- and post-registration level.
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Individuals have their own perceptions of pain. Nurses' do not always perceive their patients' pain. There are a number of factors which influence nurses' perceptions of their patients' pain. Further research is needed in this area.