Child Life Reduces Distress and Pain and Improves Family Satisfaction in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) intervention on pediatric distress and pain and family satisfaction during routine peripheral intravenous (PIV) line placement in the emergency department (ED). A convenience sample of 78 children (3-13 years) requiring PIV placement for their treatment at a regional level 1 pediatric trauma center ED with 70 000 annual visits were selected to receive either standard nursing care or CCLS intervention for PIV placement. CCLS involvement was associated with fewer negative emotional behaviors as indicated by a lower score on the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (-3.37 ± 1.49, P = .027), a reduction in self-reported pain on the Wong-Baker Faces pain rating scale (-1.107 ± 0.445, P = .017), an increase in parent-reported patient cooperation during PIV placement, and greater satisfaction with the ED visit. This study demonstrates that Child Life can have an impact on important outcomes in the pediatric ED such as distress, pain, and visit satisfaction.

Keywords: child life; distress; emergency department; pain; satisfaction.