The healthcare providers of Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children are committed to delivering the best level of pain control that can safely be provided for all children cared for at the Hospital.
Pain is assessed on admission for all patients using age appropriate pain scales. All outpatients are screened regarding the presence of pain.
We use the following pain scales:
- Numeric Pain Scale (self report) - Approximately seven years or older – children with cognitive understanding of numbers rank and order. 0= no pain and 10 = worst pain you can ever imagine. Child is asked to rate the amount of pain they are experiencing. Range is from 0-10.
- Wong Baker FACES Rating Scale (self report) – Cognitive age 3 years and older or children who have difficulty with the numeric scale. A series of cartoon faces, face 0 = no pain to face 10= hurts worst. Explain to the child that each face is for a person who feels happy because he has no pain (hurt) or sad because he has some or a lot of pain. Use descriptions under each face and ask the child to choose a face (not a number) that best describes their pain. Range is from 0-10.
- FLACC Pain Scale (Behavioral) - Children 2 months to 18 years of age who are non-verbal and/or cognitively impaired. Children who are unable to use a self-report scale. Pain intensity is identified by the provider based on patient behavior. Five variables are assessed and assigned a numeric score; scores are then added to obtain a total. Total score range is from 0-10.
- CRIES Pain Scale (Behavioral/Physiological) - Premature infants of 32 weeks gestation through infancy. Pain intensity is identified by the provider based on patient behavior and physiological signs. Five variables are assessed and assigned a score, then add scores to obtain a total. Total score range is from 0-10.
Resources Available To Help You Manage Your Patient’s Pain:
- Pain Management APN – (302)-651-6434
- Pediatric Anesthesiologist – (302)-651-6040
- Pharmacy – (302)-651-5700