Pain Assessment and Treatment in Pediatric Patients

Although there are a considerable number of pain assessment scales, only some of them can be used for practical intentions. The Faces Pain Scale is used for children 4 to 6-7 years old, while the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is used for children above this age.

A study from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, was used to assess the acute pain levels among 177 children from birth to 13 years old in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, an University Hospital Centre, a Pediatric Hospital and an Outpatient Services in Tirana. For patients incapable to verbalize the pain intensity in a reliable way (neonates to the age of four years old), the hetero-evaluation was used. The hetero-evaluation is realized only with one assessment scale, while patients older than 4 years and younger than 6 years old were assessed using the hetero-evaluation and auto-evaluation scale according to the Faces Scale and VAS.

The auto-evaluation of the acute pain intensity is applied according to two different assessment scales during the same procedure, on the same patients. The assessment according to VAS is applied in two positions, horizontally and vertically. The results obtained from the different scales and the VAS positions are compared. The NFCS and the Faces Scale are much more easily accessible by the nursing staff; while the multidimensional scales (OPS, CRIES, PIPP) were found more difficult to be used.