Date of this Version
2023
Document Type
DNP Project
Abstract
Managing pain, stress, and anxiety are key factors to consider in the well-being of children presenting for emergency care. Procedures including IV insertions, injections, and wound care are very prevalent in pediatric emergency settings and commonly perceived as painful in children. Nonpharmacologic approaches are available to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety in children undergoing procedures; however, these methods are not always implemented. Some of the most common nonpharmacologic interventions include music, play, imagery, storytelling, guided imagery, breathing, and the use of technology – all forms of distraction. A relatively new form of distraction that can be used in emergency departments due to novel technology in healthcare is virtual reality. This technology is applied with advanced head-mounted displays which allow for a wide field view of the virtual environment while motion tracking systems simulate presence within the virtual world and shifts the user’s attention away from anxiety and pain perception. The primary objective of this QI project is to assess ED clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding VR and use this information to develop a protocol for VR use to reduce children’s sensory and emotional distress.
Recommended Citation
Pallidine, Caroline, "Integrating Virtual Reality in the Pediatric Emergency Department to Improve Pain Management: A Quality Improvement Project" (2023). Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing Student Projects. 205.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cnhs-studentprojects/205