Parent Nurse Controlled Analgesic in Pediatric Patients With Developmental Delay

Children with developmental delay are at higher risk for inadequate pain assessment and management. Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) allows patients to administer opioids by pushing a PCA button when needed. This eliminates the delay of waiting for a nurse to obtain and administer pain medication. PCA has been shown to be safe, effective, and superior to intramuscular, intermittent opioid dosing for pain management in children. Often, children with developmental delays cannot operate a PCA independently, can not self report their pain and are often given pain medication "as needed" through an IV. Parent/Nurse Controlled Analgesia (PNCA) allows parents and nurses to push the PCA button for patients who are not able to do so themselves. This way of giving pain medicine has not been thoroughly studied. Some healthcare professionals use PNCA for these children, others do not. This study is being done to compare PNCA & intermittent opioid administration. Participants will be randomized into one of the three study groups:

1. Parent/Nurse controlled Analgesia (PNCA) with a continuous intravenous (IV)infusion of pain medicine.
2. PNCA without continuous IV infusion of pain medicine.
3. Pain medicine given through IV administered on an "as needed" basis(PRN) by the nurse.

The Acute Pain Service will follow all three groups of patients throughout the study. This team specializes in the management of children's pain. Pain team is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The study will continue until child can tolerate pain medication in his/her stomach.

Data will be collected regarding safety, efficacy, parent & Nurse satisfaction.