Guideline downloads

Recognition and assessment of acute pain in children guideline documents

A number of documents are available to download from the updated children's pain guideline. The documents below are in PDF format. See how to access PDF files.

• The recognition and assessment of acute pain in children (PDF 5.23MB)
  The full updated guideline document, published in September 2009.
• Quick reference guide (PDF 3MB)
  The quick reference guide is a four page summary that includes recommendations, good practice points, a pain assessment cycle diagram and an algorithm of validated pain scales.The quick reference guide is available as an A2 poster. To order your copy of the poster, call RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 and select option number three. The line is open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email your request to publications@rcn.org.uk. You will need to quote the publication code 003 547.
• Algorithm of validated pain scales (PDF 134.1KB)
  An A3 guide to which pain scales to use for different situations (for example: neonates, children with cognitive impairment, post-operative / peri-procedural pain).

This 2009 version of the clinical guideline for pain in children is currently under review, and a literature review is being carried out in order to augment this version of the guideline, with the findings of latest research. This literature review will be made available in this resource in early 2012.

Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists (2012) Good practice in postoperative and procedural pain management 2nd ed

Please note that this updated guideline for the management of postoperative and procedural pain in children developed by a multidisciplinary guideline development group which included the Royal College of Nursing, addresses and updates many of the issues explored by the RCN’s 2009 guideline on the recognition and assessment of acute pain in children. The APA’s guideline presents evidence-based recommendations and good practice points and should be referred to as the most up-to-date source. The guideline is made available as a supplement to Pediatric Anesthesia volume 22 July 2012 - see Good practice in postoperative and procedural pain management 2nd ed.