Presentation Information

Assessing and Alleviating Neonatal Pain: The Role of Non-Verbal Indicators and Non-Pharmacological Interventions

• Speaker: Céleste Johnston , OC, RN, DEd, FCAS
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits:

Abstract:

Neonates in intensive care units undergo many tissue damaging procedures over the course of their admission which cause pain. Assessing the amount of their pain is challenging due to their inability to communicate verbally. However there are non-verbal indicators of pain, both behavioural and physiological, that parents and staff can use to assess the pain. Pharmacological interventions for pain must be used sparingly in this population as there are long term consequences associated with extensive use. There are several approaches to non-pharmacological interventions that have demonstrated efficacy: oragustatory, vestibular, positioning, sensorial, and combinations of these approaches. Learn more about these various interventions and ways to involve parents in care.