Knowledge and practice regarding neonatal pain management in the opinion of nurses and midwives working in Polish neonatal units

Abstract

Nurses and midwives working in neonatal units play a key role in the assessment and treatment of pain. Due to their nature of work, which is based on continuous observation of the patient, they constitute a professional group that responds to changes in the child’s general condition. Thanks to this, the physicians get information about pain intensity or the need of pain treatment, which is relevant among patients who cannot report any symptoms of pain by themselves. The aim of the study was to describe nurses’ and midwives’ basic knowledge about pain and the practice regarding procedural pain assessment and management in Polish neonatal care units. The studies were carried out among 617 nurses and midwives working in neonatal units in Poland. We collected data by using a researcher-developed questionnaire. The significance level was set at p<0.5. 30% of nurses never used nonpharmacological methods of pain relief before painful procedures. Moreover, the higher the level of reference, the more often no non-pharmacological methods were used. Knowledge related to the basic problems associated with pain can be described as insufficient (Me = 4). Frequent use of sedation drugs has also been reported (III level NICU: phenobarbital per os/per rectum 72.8% of respondents, opioids – 34.9%, II level NICU: phenobarbital per os/ per rectum 45.2%, opioids: 4.5%). The longer nurses and midwives worked, the lower the frequency of use of pain assessment tools was (p = 0.0048, R = -0.113). The lack of appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain treatment and lack of use of pain scales are a significant problem in the care of newborns. Our research indicates the need for education in the field of pain assessment and treatment methods in newborns.