By Sandra Merkel, MS, RN
The conference, “Children in Pain: Advancing the Practice of Pain Management,” was a huge success, attracting 129 attendees, including some who came from as far away as California, Australia and London. The event took place at the Crowne Plaza in Ann Arbor on May 7 and 8, and was co-hosted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Nurses, pharmacists and physicians gathered for the common goal of treating children’s pain. Dr. Shobha Malviya, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of the Pediatric Pain Services, believes that this joint effort between the two hospitals provides a wonderful opportunity for clinicians in the region to hear from national and local experts about pain in children and its management.
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Shobha Malviya, Elaine Pelletier, Karen Jackson, Robin Potthof, Sandra Merkel |
Donna Wong, PhD, RN, PNP, CPN, FAAN, internationally known for her work in co-developing the Wong/Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, spoke on the assessment of pain and advances in pain management, and she highlighted the new JCAHO standards. Myron Yaster, MD respected clinician and co-editor of “Pain in Infants, Children and Adolescents,” gave a keynote presentation on “The Physiology of Pain.” Santhanam Suresh, MD, from Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, discussed his views on chronic pain.
The participants commented favorably on the diverse topics and clinical sessions, which were presented by visiting faculty, as well as some of our own faculty and staff. “Sedation/Analgesia for Children” was the topic for the keynote given by Dr. Malviya. Sandra Merkel, MS, RN and Paul Walker, PharmD, presented “Withdrawal Syndrome.” A session on “Common Regional Blocks” was presented by Hamish Munro, MD. In addition, Deborah Wagner, PharmD spoke on “Pharmacology: Combination Therapies and Why They Work.” Marie Lozon, MD, of emergency services, and Frances Farley, MD, of orthopedic surgery, joined the C. S Mott Children’s Hospital faculty to share clinically focused information related to pain management in their patients. The conference ended with a session led by professional clowns that demonstrated how to use humor and other creative activities to help children in pain and those that care for them.
Departmental staff and others from the hospital assisted the Pediatric Pain Service in planning this conference. The efforts of Robin Heminger-Potthoff, CRNA, Brenda Shaw, RN and Carol Williams, MS, RN, Jennifer Gordenier, and Carrie Lapham contributed to the success of this conference. Plans have already begun for the next conference, which is scheduled for April 26 and 27, 2001. Hope to see you there.