The effectiveness of a standardized educational program for children using patient-controlled analgesia.

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of two types of preoperative education (routine education and a standardized educational program) for children undergoing spinal fusion.

Design: Two group, phase-lag design.

Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital.

Participants: Children ages 8-18 years (N = 93).

Main outcome measures: Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, Child Pain Scale, Post-PCA Satisfaction Interview, and PCA infusion pump data.

Results: No statistically significant differences between the groups on any of the main outcome variables. Children and parents reported, however, that the SEP provided them with invaluable information regarding the use of PCA and alleviated their concerns about getting "hooked on drugs," overdosing, side effects, and being able to get pain relief when needed.

Conclusion: Children having spine fusion surgery experienced severe postoperative pain that was not ameliorated by optimizing use of PCA through standardized education. Further testing of the SEP with other populations is needed in order to more fully realize its potential for influencing pain outcomes.