To evaluate the impact the introduction of a pain and sedation guideline will have on clinical practice.
A 19 bed PICU was audited for one month prior to the introduction of a guideline and one month post.
The proportion of patients receiving oral Clonidine increased (p = 0.001) and the administration of Ketamine, particularly via bolus (p = 0.003), reduced after the introduction of the guideline. The use of a validated pain tool to assess pain increased by 25 % and communication of management plans increased by 25 % . The documentation of the use of boluses increased by 36 % .
The introduction of a clinical practice guideline for pain and sedation management in PICU contributes to changes in medication administration, use of validated pain assessments, improved documentation of boluses and communication of management plans.