10-MONTH-OLD Eli gets a glob of topical lidocaine in anticipation of setting an intravenous line for hydrating fluids. Eli was mostly smiles at Health First’s Pediatric Emergency Department at Holmes Regional Medical Center, surrounded as he was by toys, bubbles and dancing lights.

A survey of hospitalized children found that the worst pain they reported feeling during their stay was a needle stick. At the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) at Health First's Holmes Regional Medical Center, physicians and clinicians are leaning into “ouchless sticks” – children who need an injection or an intravenous line are given topical lidocaine, the pain sensation blocker Buzzy®, toy and play distractions, and physical comfort – never restraint.

“We can’t take away all of the discomfort, but we certainly can make it better,” said Dr. Danielle Devereaux, Medical Director of the PED, “and here, we put as much effort into making this a positive experience as we do into providing fast, emergency care for sick and injured babies and kids.”

Many adults can recall hearing a doctor or nurse offering brace-and-bear-it encouragement before an injection, blood draw or intravenous line placement. At the PED, clinicians are mitigating the fear and pain, and for a good medical reason.

“There’s been emerging literature that shows even newborns experience pain,” said PED Medical Director Dr. Danielle Devereaux, “and this can alter their brain chemistry leading to chronic pain issues in the future. We apply principles of atraumatic care to even our tiniest patients.”

Children who develop intense anxiety around needle sticks often become adults who avoid doctors’ appointments and shots of any kind – such as seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. It’s estimated that fear of needles affects up to 25% of adults and may lead 16% of people in the US to skip vaccinations. 

“Vaccinations save lives,” Dr. Devereaux said. “We don’t want to contribute to a culture of needle phobia that may cause a child not to receive future vaccinations.”

READ the complete feature in Florida Today HERE.