Examining Neonatal Nurses' Knowledge of Pain, Attitudes to Sucrose and Use of Sucrose during Painful Procedures in the NICU

Background: A sucrose solution administered onto the anterior tip of the tongue reduces the behavioural and often physiological responses to pain during heel lancing and other painful procedures. The use of sucrose has been documented at low levels in NICUs during minor painful procedures despite its proven effectiveness in clinical trials. Pain management in the NICU is influenced by nurses’ knowledge and attitudes.
Aims and Objectives: (1) To identify the use of sucrose during painful procedures (2) To describe neonatal nurses’ knowledge of neonatal pain and (3) To describe neonatal nurses’ attitudes to sucrose
Methods: A quantitative descriptive analysis was undertaken. Data were collected using a previously validated questionnaire with a convenience sample of 82 neonatal nurses. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) using descriptive statistics.
Findings: With a 90.2% response rate (n=74) in this study findings indicated that sucrose combined with non-nutritive sucking (NNS) was the most common intervention during many painful procedures in the neonatal unit with utilisation of up to 91% being reported during painful procedures. The findings also indicated that neonatal nurses were knowledgeable regarding neonatal pain and showed positive attitudes to sucrose being safe and effective. However, 25% (n=18) of neonatal nurses reported uncertainty to knowing the correct dose of sucrose.
Conclusion: The high use of sucrose and NNS is underpinned by a knowledgeable population of neonatal nurses with positive attitudes towards sucrose.