Abstract
In the United States, 10% to 15% of newborns are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Painful procedures are unavoidable during NICU care; the neonate experiences approximately 12 painful procedures per day. Inconsistent and/or inappropriate pain management in the NICU remains a problem. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalent factors that influence the implementation of pain management strategies among nurses who work in a NICU setting in a Central Florida hospital. This study was conducted using a voluntary and anonymous electronic survey. The survey was divided into two sections; the first section designed to describe the sample, and the second section containing a Likert-type scale that assessed the nurses’ general pain knowledge, knowledge of pain assessment, and awareness of accepted pain management strategies. The survey was adapted from previously published research. Results indicate pain was more likely to be addressed when nurses collaborated closely with the attending physician. The majority of nurses were aware of current protocols for pain management on the unit but not all nurses agreed those protocols were adequate. Results also indicated pain assessment education is being provided in the NICU and the nurses feel confident in their skills to assess pain, however, not all nurses agreed that pain is being well managed in their unit. There appears to be a gap between the nurse’s knowledge/skill to assess pain and implementation of strategies to decrease pain. Although it is the nurse’s responsibility to prevent and treat newborn pain in the NICU, not all nurses agreed that newborn pain is well managed in their unit and some believe pain to be an unavoidable experience in the NICU. Nurse-physician collaboration is key to evidence based newborn pain management.
Notes
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Thesis Completion
2014
Semester
Spring
Advisor
Allred, Kelly
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
College
College of Nursing
Department
Nursing
Subjects
Dissertations, Academic -- Nursing; Nursing -- Dissertations, Academic
Format
Identifier
CFH0004609
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Document Type
Honors in the Major Thesis
Recommended Citation
Martinez, Geraldine, "Factors that Influence Implementation of Pain Management Strategies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit" (2014). HIM 1990-2015. 1594.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1594