The attitudes of medical staff towards pain intensity assessment in newborns treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Kinga Zasada; Kinga Anna Tułacz; Paulina Mostyńska; Anna Rozensztrauch

doi:10.12923/pielxxiw-2025-0023

Authors

Kinga Zasada Oddział Noworodkowy, Szpital Zakonu Bonifratrów w Katowicach, Polska Author
Kinga Anna Tułacz Wydział Pielęgniarstwa i Położnictwa, Katedra Położnictwa, Zakład Podstaw Położnictwa, Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu, Polska Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0476-4422
Paulina Mostyńska Wydział Pielęgniarstwa i Położnictwa, Katedra Położnictwa, Zakład Podstaw Położnictwa, Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu, Polska Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0180-2175
Anna Rozensztrauch Wydział Pielęgniarstwa i Położnictwa, Katedra Pielęgniarstwa, Zakład Pediatrii i Koordynowanej Opieki nad Dzieckiem, Uniwersytet Medyczny we Wrocławiu, Polska Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1727-3235

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12923/pielxxiw-2025-0023

Keywords:

treatment, pain, prematurity, analgesia, newborn

Abstract

ABSTRACT THE ATTITUDES OF MEDICAL STAFF TOWARDS PAIN INTENSITY ASSESSMENT IN NEWBORNS TREATED IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Introduction. Neonatal pain management is a critical aspect of care in intensive care units, yet it is often underestimated and undertreated. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical personnel regarding neonatal pain in intensive care settings, with a particular focus on neonatal nursing.

Material and methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among127 healthcare professionals working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). A diagnostic survey method was applied, which included a self-authored questionnaire (SAQ) complemented by the standardized Infant Pain Questionnaire.

Results. The analysis revealed signifi cant statistical diff erences (p=0.03) between two groups: those who completed a specialization in a field other than neonatal nursing (M=52.16%) and those who specialized in neonatal nursing (M=68.47%). Participants with a specialization in neonatal nursing had a signifi cantly higher level of knowledge.. The level of education had a major impact on knowledge about pain management in newborns, with a p-value of 0.006. The statistical analysis using Pearson’s chi-square test (χ² = 30.35, df = 9, p = 0.00038) revealed a signifi cant association between the professional specialisation and the recommended amount of glucose/sucrose to be administered.

Conclusions. There is a concerning gap between the recognition of pain in neonates and the actual implementation of pain relief strategies. This contrast is particularly evident in the case of intubation, where pain management is often inadequate.

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