Virtually trained NICU nurses sensitively respond to babies’ pain

"Infants in pain can’t describe the severity of their discomfort, but NICU nurses can e-learn how to gauge pain degrees according to standardized scales, allowing for prompt and appropriate pain-relief interventions.

Researchers at Hiroshima University in Japan proved the concept when they developed a virtual training program and tested it on 115 nurses from seven hospitals in pre- and post-test exercises.

Around half the cohort completed the e-course, and they significantly outperformed their untrained peers. The effect held regardless of levels of experience and education.

The work is described in a research report published by Advances in Neonatal Care.

Mio Ozawa, PhD, RN, and colleagues conclude that their virtually delivered program, e-Pain Management of Neonates, “can be useful for nurses’ attainment of knowledge and skills for managing neonatal pain, including an appropriate use of selected scoring tools.”

At the same time, they note, more research is need to find out “how organizational unit attendance rate for e-learning and posttest results are related to patient outcomes.”..." Lire la suite