Scoring and Understanding of Pain: Electronic Recording - SUP:ER Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Scoring and Understanding of Pain: Electronic Recording - SUP:ER Study
IRAS ID
170188
Contact name
Jennie Craske
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 26 days
Research summary
The aim of this prospective cohort study is to assess the feasibility of using an electronic pain score device to monitor paediatric patient pain scores and report them to nursing staff. We will assess the study outcomes before and after this intervention has been implemented. The participants will be children who have had an operation and have needed a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Their pain will be monitored for 24 hours after the patient-controlled analgesia pump has been stopped.
National guidelines recommend that children's pain should be assessed, recorded, and re-evaluated at regular intervals; the frequency of assessment should be determined according to the individual needs of the child and setting. The method for pain assessment depends on the child's age and cognitive ability but a series of validated scales are available to assist in this process. These recommendations are interpreted in local guidelines for pain monitoring. We do not know whether following these guidelines allows us to meet the pain control needs of our patients. In general, pain in children is under-assessed and not well documented so consequently children's pain may be poorly managed.
We have developed an electronic pain score app which we will ask children to use after their patient-controlled analgesia pump has been stopped. Specifically, we will:
1. Assess the technical feasibility of using the electronic pain score device in a ward setting
2. Obtain feedback from nursing staff about their satisfaction with using the electronic pain score device
3. Obtain feedback from children and families about their satisfaction with how pain was assessed and managed
4. Measure the frequency of pain score recording
5. Determine whether children can use an interactive app to report their pain scores
6. Obtain feedback from children about the content and appearance of the app
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0257
Date of REC Opinion
13 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion