Perceptions of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit team and the nursery about newborn pain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study is justified by the interest of the area in question and the curiosity to know what methods and procedures are carried out on newborn pain, to help professionals and students to better understand the subject, in addition to showing the results obtained and help to improve care for this public. The objective of this study was to know the perceptions of nursing professionals working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and in the nursery about newborn (NB) pain and its management. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Technicians, assistants, and nurses who worked for at least three months in the NICU and nursery units of a philanthropic hospital participated in the research. Professionals who were on leave due to vacation or leave of any kind during the study period were excluded. A semi-structured interview was used, and a data analysis was carried out according to the content analysis proposed by Bardin. RESULTS: Twelve professionals, nine nursing technicians and three nurses participated in the research, of these, seven professionals working in the NICU and five in the nursery. From the analysis of the statements of the study participants, two categories emerged: perceptions of professionals regarding the identification and cause of pain in the NB; and NB pain assessment and management. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals the importance of identifying pain in the NB and its effective management, as the lack of appreciation for it can lead to more stress for the NB. Crying was the main characteristic identified by professionals when there is a NB with pain or some discomfort, therefore, mainly non-pharmacological methods are used for relief. Effective management should be seen as an indicator of the quality of care provided, ensuring humanized care, free from damage and with quality.