Procedural Pain in Hospitalized Children in a Chinese Children's Hospital

Pain prevalence in pediatric hospitals has been investigated in many developed countries, but little is known about this topic in China. This study sought to describe the frequency and pain intensity of procedures for medical care in hospitalized children in a Chinese children’s hospital. A cross-sectional study was designed to include interviews with children, their parents and the nurses. This survey was administered in a teaching hospital in southeast China. Infants and children up to 16 years old who were admitted to the study units for more than 6 days were eligible for inclusion. Information regarding patient demographics, painful procedures and pain management strategies was obtained during the day shifts of the children’s hospitalization. A total of 3886 procedures were performed on 342 children during the data collection period. The reuse of intravenous indwelling needles ( n = 577), removal of tape from the skin ( n  = 420) and venipuncture on the back of the hand ( n = 401) were the most frequently performed procedures on children. A total of 1941 procedures, accounting for 49.9% (1941/3886) of painful procedures caused moderate to severe pain (pain score ≥4.0). However, only 25.3% (984/3886) received a valid pain assessment, and only 14.4% (560/3886) received pain interventions. Most children, especially those who are younger (<4 years old), experienced moderate or severe pain during their hospitalization, but did not receive appropriate interventions.