Heel blood sampling in European neonatal intensive care units: compliance with pain management guidelines

Valentina Losacco, Marina Cuttini, Gorm Greisen, Dominique Haumont, Carmen R Pallás-Alonso, Veronique Pierrat, Inga Warren, Bert J Smit, Björn Westrup, Jacques Sizun, ESF Network

    39 Citationer (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective To describe the use of heel blood sampling and non-pharmacological analgesia in a large representative sample of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in eight European countries, and compare their self-reported practices with evidence-based recommendations. Methods Information on use of heel blood sampling and associated procedures (oral sweet solutions, non-nutritive sucking, swaddling or positioning, topical anaesthetics and heel warming) were collected through a structured mail questionnaire. 284 NICUs (78% response rate) participated, but only 175 with >/=50 very low birth weight admissions per year were included in this analysis. Results Use of heel blood sampling appeared widespread. Most units in the Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Sweden and France predominantly adopted mechanical devices, while manual lance was still in use in the other countries. The two Scandinavian countries and France were the most likely, and Belgium and Spain the least likely to employ recommended combinations of evidence-based pain management measures. Conclusions Heel puncture is a common procedure in preterm neonates, but pain appears inadequately treated in many units and countries. Better compliance with published guidelines is needed for clinical and ethical reasons.
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftArchives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
    Vol/bind96
    Udgave nummer1
    Sider (fra-til)F65-8
    Antal sider4
    ISSN1359-2998
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - 1 jan. 2011

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