Quality Improvement Intervention Reduces Pain in Infants During Heel Lances
Author Information
Author(s): Noergaard Betty, Olesen Helle Brems, Toennesen Ulla List, Fenger-Gron Jesper, Kofoed Poul-Erik
Primary Institution: Lillebaelt Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark
Hypothesis
Will the number of infants having a normal comfort, distress, and pain score increase, and will the number of adverse events decrease during and after heel lancing following the implementation of the intervention?
Conclusion
Cost-free procedural changes can decrease pain, discomfort, and adverse events in infants undergoing heel lancing.
Supporting Evidence
- Post-intervention, there was a significant increase in the number of infants with normal pain and distress scores during and after heel lancing.
- A non-significant reduction in the number of adverse events was observed post-intervention.
- Infants placed in skin-to-skin contact had lower pain and distress scores after heel lancing.
Takeaway
This study found that making small changes to how we care for babies during heel pricks can help them feel less pain and have fewer problems afterward.
Methodology
A pre- and post-quality improvement intervention study was conducted with 189 heel lances in the pre-intervention group and 186 in the post-intervention group.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the observational nature of the study and the lack of randomization.
Limitations
The study did not include the first heel lance after admission to the NICU, and the sample size may not have been sufficient to verify the reduction in adverse events.
Participant Demographics
Infants with a postmenstrual age of ≥28 + 0 weeks and ≤43 + 6 weeks were included.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.01 for pain and distress scores during heel lancing.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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