Manejo de la sedación y la analgesia en unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales españolas / Sedation and analgesia practices among Spanish neonatal intensive care units

INTRODUCCIÓN: El manejo del dolor y la sedación es una prioridad de los cuidados intensivos neonatales. Se diseñó un estudio con el objetivo de determinar la práctica clínica actual en relación con la sedación y la analgesia en unidades de cuidados intensivos neonatales en España e identificar factores asociados al uso de fármacos sedantes o analgésicos. MÉTODO: Estudio multicéntrico, observacional, longitudinal y prospectivo. RESULTADOS: Participaron 30 unidades neonatales y se reclutó a 468 neonatos. De estos, 198 (42,3%) recibieron medicación sedante o analgésica. En total, se usaron durante el período de estudio 19 fármacos distintos, de los cuales el más utilizado fue el fentanilo. Solo fentanilo, midazolam, morfina y paracetamol se usaron al menos en un 20% de los neonatos que recibieron sedación y/o analgesia. Se usaron 14 pautas distintas de fármacos en perfusión, siendo las más frecuentes la infusión de fentanilo y la combinación de fentanilo y midazolam. Las variables asociadas a recibir sedación y/o analgesia fueron el haber precisado ventilación invasiva (p = < 0,001; OR = 23,79), un score de CRIB>3 (p = 0,023; OR = 2,26), la existencia en la unidad de guías de evaluación del dolor (p < 0,001; OR = 3,82) y de un líder de dolor (p = 0,034; OR = 2,35). CONCLUSIONES: Casi la mitad de los neonatos ingresados en cuidados intensivos recibe medicación sedante y/o analgésica. Existe una importante variabilidad entre las unidades neonatales españolas en relación con las pautas de sedación y analgesia. Nuestros resultados permiten conocer el «estado del arte» y pueden servir de base para la elaboración de guías de práctica clínica a nivel nacional

INTRODUCTION: Pain management and sedation is a priority in neonatal intensive care units. A study was designed with the aim of determining current clinical practice as regards sedation and analgesia in neonatal intensive care units in Spain, as well as to identify factors associated with the use of sedative and analgesic drugs. METHOD: A multicenter, observational, longitudinal and prospective study. RESULTS: Thirty neonatal units participated and included 468 neonates. Of these, 198 (42,3%) received sedatives or analgesics. A total of 19 different drugs were used during the study period, and the most used was fentanyl. Only fentanyl, midazolam, morphine and paracetamol were used in at least 20% of the neonates who received sedatives and/or analgesics. In infusions, 14 different drug prescriptions were used, with the most frequent being fentanyl and the combination of fentanyl and midazolam. The variables associated with receiving sedation and/or analgesia were, to have required invasive ventilation (P<.001; OR=23.79), a CRIB score >3 (P=.023; OR=2.26), the existence of pain evaluation guides in the unit (P<.001; OR=3.82), and a pain leader(P=.034; OR=2.35). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the neonates admitted to intensive care units receive sedatives or analgesics. There is significant variation between Spanish neonatal units as regards sedation and analgesia prescribing. Our results provide evidence on the 'state of the art', and could serve as the basis of preparing clinical practice guidelines at a national level

Facilitated tucking as a non-pharmacological intervention for neonatal pain relief: is it clinically feasible?

UNLABELLED: There is an impressive body of knowledge on pain management in infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. However, deficits in the clinical management of pain in these infants remain. One reason is the gap between research evidence and translation of this knowledge into the clinical setting. This is particularly true for non-pharmacological pain-relieving methods. Effective performance of some of these methods requires additional staffing and time. This viewpoint articles describes the clinical challenges associated with implementing 'facilitated tucking'. Although 'facilitated tucking' is described as an efficient method for acute pain relief, the clinical facilitators required to successfully implement such a resource consuming-intervention remain unclear. CONCLUSION: Translational research on the feasibility of using 'facilitated tucking' in the management of neonatal pain is warranted, including the economic impact of this intervention. Increased manpower costs need to be weighed against the possible long-term economical consequences of pain exposure in infants.

Seeing through the blind! Ability of hospital staff to differentiate morphine from placebo, in neonates at a placebo controlled trial.

AIM: To investigate whether professional training and/or clinical experience affect the ability of caregiver to assess clinical signs of pre-emptive morphine analgesia. METHODS: In the Neurological Outcomes & Pre-emptive Analgesia In Neonates trial preterm infants undergoing mechanical ventilation were randomized to receive continuous infusion, either of morphine or placebo blinded. Staff from centres in Sweden (Stockholm and Orebro) completed an assessment form. RESULTS: A total of 360 assessment forms were collected from 52 neonates. In 59% of the cases, caregivers correctly identified patients group. Comparable proportion of answers were correct between physicians, nurses and assistant nurses (63, 60 and 54%, respectively, p = 0.60). Staff with Neonatal intensive care unit experience <1 year identified 63%, as compared to 65% for working 1-5 year, and 55% that has been working >5 years (p = 0.28). Staff's ability to correctly identify group assignment was reduced by amount of additional morphine (p < 0.01) and severity of illness (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical medical staffs, including neonatologists, have great difficulties in assessing the presence and severity of pain. Further studies should focus on the methods for assessment of prolonged pain in preterm neonates, define the effects of adequate analgesia, and investigate the clinical factors that may alter neonatal responses to acute and prolonged pain.