Paediatric pain assessment: Differences between triage nurse, child and parent

Abstract

Aim: To compare the severity of paediatric pain as assessed by the triage nurse, child and parent. Methods: This was an analytical, observational study undertaken in a tertiary referral emergency department between January and June (inclusive) 2006. A convenience sample of children (aged 3-15 years) with painful conditions was enrolled. The triage nurse, child and parent were asked to assess the child's pain using the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale (young children) or a linear numerical pain rating scale (nurse, older children, parent). Each participant was blinded to the assessments of the others. Results: Eighty-six patients were enrolled: 52 (60.5%) male, mean age 9.1 (standard deviat..