Reducing Pediatric Pain and Anxiety During Emergency Care

Recommendations include pediatric-specific provider education, pain assessment, and new techniques for reducing pain and anxiety.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine provide comprehensive recommendations for reducing pediatric pain and anxiety in the emergency department and during out-of-hospital emergency transport. Emphasizing provider education, appropriate pain assessment, and pediatric-specific pain and anxiety-reduction techniques, the authors endorse the following:

A dedicated child-friendly, calming environment
Pediatric-specific visual pain scales modified for the developmentally delayed
A toolbox of pediatric distraction equipment for minimizing anxiety
Child life specialists to coach and calm children using age-appropriate techniques
Family presence during painful procedure…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)