title: [Reducing the pain of intravenous injections in preschool children].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion is a significant source of stress for preschoolers during hospitalization. An average of about 85% of pediatric patients at our general pediatric unit are preschoolers. An average 71% of these exhibit severe pain-related behavior during intravenous insertions. The factors influencing this pain experience may include inappropriate administration of analgesics by nurses, non-pharmacologic pain management, and inappropriate clinical settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This project worked to develop a strategy to reduce the incidence of severe injection pain in preschool children from 71.0% to 36.0% and to achieve a capacity improvement target of 50%.
  
  
  METHODS
  We implemented the following: 1) arranged a relevant training program for pediatric nurses; 2) revised hospital standards for pediatric intravenous insertions; and 3) enhanced analgesic administration and non-pharmacologic pain management through creating child-friendly clinical settings and providing interactive toys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After implementing the above mentioned interventions, the incidence of severe pain-related behavior in pediatric patients decreased from 71.0% to 19.7%, a result that greatly exceeded expectations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This project demonstrated an effective approach to reducing severe intravenous-insertion pain in preschoolers and increasing pediatric care quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ming-Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chia-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ya-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. m22096@cgmh.org.tw.
authors.forename: Chun-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: intravenous insertion; pain; preschooler