PAT-a-CAKE: Pediatric Assessment Tools and Clinical Advances in Kids Evaluation
Evaluating the methods used by physicians, nurses and physician assistants for assessing pain in pediatric patients.
Background
Pain is a universal and distressing experience for hospitalized children, with lifelong implications if inadequately recognized or managed. Timely and accurate pain assessment is essential in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) to guide appropriate interventions, alleviate suffering, and lower the risk of both immediate and long-term psychosocial repercussions.
At present time, there is limited evidence describing the actual pain assessment practices within pediatric EDs in Ontario, and no data on the degree to which recommended protocols are being followed at Humber River Hospital. Without a clear understanding of the current state of practice and the factors driving variations in care, the development and implementation of effective quality improvement initiatives are hindered.
The proposed study would identify existing pain assessment procedures for children ages two to twelve who arrive at the emergency room, in order to fill this important knowledge gap. This project will investigate the explicit and implicit factors impacting adherence to recommended guidelines using qualitative methodologies with a varied range of healthcare practitioners, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians. Through examining these concerns from the perspectives of healthcare professionals, this study seeks to pinpoint the obstacles and enablers that impact clinical judgment, the choice and application of standardized instruments, and the recording of pain assessment procedures. Ultimately, the insights received will inform the development of tailored interventions and support evidence-based improvements in pediatric pain assessment practices, ensuring more consistent and effective pain management for children in the emergency care setting.
