Minimizing the ‘ouch’—A strategy to minimize pain, fear and anxiety in children presenting to the emergency department

Summary 

This paper will discuss the role of distraction in reducing pain and anxiety during medical procedures and examinations for children. Specifically the implementation and evaluation of ‘distraction boxes’ into emergency departments throughout Hunter New England Health Southern Sector, NSW, Australia, will be discussed.

In recent years significant advances have been made in the assessment and management of children's pain when they are hospitalized. However, despite these advances, studies and reviews continue to indicate that pain management, particularly procedural pain management in emergency departments is poorly managed. The predictive nature of procedural pain provides an excellent opportunity for health care professionals to minimize the pain and anxiety experienced by children by intervening appropriately before, during and even after the procedure or examination with developmentally appropriate distraction techniques.

Keywords: Pain, Children, Distraction, Evaluation