Effects of Wiping 70% alcohol on the Skin of neonates on Pain level: A Quasi-Experiment
Keywords:
neonate/newborn, 70%alcohol, pain, vaccinationAbstract
The objective of this quasi-experimental research was to study the effects of wiping the skin of newborns with 70% alcohol on the perception of pain in newborns. The participants were newborns in the neonatal unit of Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University. Convenience sampling was performed to recruit 75 newborns who met inclusion criteria. The research was conducted between March 2022 and December 2023. All newborns must receive a hepatitis B vaccination according to the immunization plan of the Ministry of Public Health. The vaccination process starts with cleansing the skin with 70% alcohol on the outer surface of the Vastus Lateralis muscle in the thigh and then assessing the newborn's pain for the first time using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). When the newborn was calm, the hepatitis B vaccine was administered. Then pain was assessed with the NIPS tool for the second time. Data was analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests.
The research results indicated that vaccination led to a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in pain scores, crying duration, and heart rate, compared to those occurring when the 70% alcohol wiping procedure was done. However, there was no change in oxygen saturation (Sat O2). Studies have shown that wiping newborns' skin with 70% alcohol can cause discomfort or pain, comparable to injections, though the pain level is lower. Therefore, healthcare professionals should be aware and careful about the amount of 70% alcohol they use. In addition, it's important to minimize the area of skin exposed to 70% alcohol. It should only be applied to the necessary area to avoid potential irritation or discomfort. Alternative disinfectants that are both effective in killing germs and gentle on the baby's skin should be considered. These alternatives should be suitable for the delicate skin of newborns while causing no discomfort or pain.
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