Efficacy of the Buzzy System for pain relief during venipuncture in children: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: procedural pain is a significant issue for paediatric patients. In particular, needle pain is amongst the most stressful for children. Studies revealed that a large number of children do not receive adequate pain prevention during the procedures. Neglecting the prevention of needle pain can cause several psychological effects such as anxiety and phobias, and increase perceptions of pain in the future. We aimed to verify the efficacy of Buzzy System in reducing pain during venipuncture. METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted among 72 children aged 3 to 10 years undergoing venipuncture. Children were randomly assigned to The Buzzy with distraction cards group (experimental group) or to "magic gloves" group (control group). Perception of pain was measured through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Wong-Baker Scale (WBS) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). RESULTS: Sixty-four children participated in the study, 34 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. The experimental group showed significantly lower levels of pain (p=.039; 95% CI: -2,11; -0,06) in terms of the mean=3.65±2.011; median=3, compared to the control group (mean: 4.67±2.14, median=4). Caregivers were satisfied with the Buzzy System. CONCLUSION: The Buzzy System combined to distraction cards showed a greater reduction of perceived pain than "magic glove" technique. This study underlines the importance of active involvement of caregivers during procedural pain in children. Pediatric nurses have an important role in empowering children and caregivers to be interactive during venipunctures.

[Students, clinical nurse preceptors and academic tutors' perception and experience in relation to the implementation of a Dedicated Education Unit: a qualitative study using focus group.] / Percezione ed esperienza di studenti, assistenti di tirocinio e tutor universitari in relazione all'implementazione di una Dedicated Education Unit: una ricerca qualitativa con focus group.

OBJECTIVE: analyse students, clinical nurse preceptors and academic tutors' perception and experience further to the implementation of a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) in a pulmonary medicine ward. METHOD: The study follows a qualitative descriptive method. Data have been collected through focus groups (FGs). We have organized four different FGs, a specific focus group for each stakeholder (students, nurses and tutors) and a closing one with everybody. Each FG followed a qualitative content analysis method. Students had to fill in the CLES+T questionnaire to confirm qualitative data. RESULTS: Participants: 6 tutors, 7 nurses and 10 students (i.e. 6 first-year, 2 second-year and 2 third-year students). The experience has been positive. We have found four different themes, both cross-sectional and specific, in relation to positive aspects. 1. Briefing and debriefing as discussion and learning opportunities (cross-sectional); 2. Peer education potentialities (cross-sectional); 3. Global and holistic care (students); 4. Academic tutors as ward resources (cross-sectional). In relation to critical aspects, instead, we have highlighted a macro-theme, which refers to "Organizational peculiarities" and is composed of three subthemes: 1. Workload (tutors and nurses); 2. Inhomogeneity in nurses and tutors' behaviour/attitude (cross-sectional); 3. Lack of a personal relationship between students and training assistants (students). All the ameliorative proposals are related to organizational peculiarities. CONCLUSION: This study reports the first Italian experimentation of the DEU training organization model. The experience has been very positive: it has not only promoted a moment's reflection but also provided the opportunity for both the Clinical and the Academic setting to discuss and collaborate to reach the common goal, i.e. best student learning.