Neonatal Pain Assessment and Management During Blood Sampling in Maternity Units.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe maternity staff's perceptions of neonatal pain assessment and management focused on the use of nonpharmacological pain-relieving methods during blood sampling, and the background factors associated with these perceptions.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: The study was conducted in maternity units at five Finnish university hospitals between August 2023 and February 2024. The data were collected using a 45-item electronic questionnaire distributed to maternity staff (N = 576), yielding 119 responses.

Results: Maternity staff considered the assessment of neonatal pain to be important, and most believed they could reliably assess neonatal pain. Most participants did not use a validated pain assessment scale. Crying and moaning were the most commonly observed indicators of pain, while facial expressions were noted less frequently. During blood sampling, neonates were most commonly offered their own fist, a finger, or a pacifier, and facilitated tucking emerged as a widely used nonpharmacological method for pain relief. Approximately half of the staff reported using kangaroo care and breastfeeding as methods to relieve neonatal pain. Staff participation in education and the availability of written guidelines were significantly associated with both neonatal pain assessment practices and the use of nonpharmacological pain-relieving methods.

Conclusions: This article highlights the importance of educating maternity staff and ensuring the availability of written guidelines to improve pain assessment and the use of nonpharmacological pain-relieving methods for healthy neonates during painful procedures in maternity units.

Clinical implications: Systematic pain assessment and the consistent use of nonpharmacological pain relief should be integrated into standard practice to ensure equitable care for all neonates.