Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
Published on: April 14, 2016
A randomised trial to evaluate prescribing accuracy when using the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel
1Department of Anaesthesia, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, UK. Richard.Hixson@cddft.nhs.uk
Insights
The Paediatric Analgesia Wheel significantly improves the accuracy and speed of prescribing paediatric analgesics and anti-emetics compared to the British National Formulary for Children (BNFC). This new device offers a more efficient method for healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Clinical pharmacy
- Medical device development
Background:
- Accurate drug prescribing in children is crucial for patient safety.
- Existing resources like the British National Formulary for Children (BNFC) may have limitations in efficiency and accuracy.
- There is a need for improved tools to support paediatric drug administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy and time efficiency of the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel compared to the BNFC for prescribing common paediatric medications.
- To determine if the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel offers a superior method for drug dosage calculations in paediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A simulated prescription task involving 14 prescriptions for two paediatric patients was designed.
- Fifty-two doctors from anaesthesia, paediatrics, and emergency medicine were randomized to use either the BNFC or the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel.
- The number of correct prescriptions and time taken were recorded and compared between the two groups.
Main Results:
- The Paediatric Analgesia Wheel group achieved a significantly higher mean number of correct prescriptions (10.9) versus the BNFC group (3.5).
- Prescribing with the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel was significantly faster, taking a mean of 5.8 minutes compared to 12.4 minutes for the BNFC.
- These findings indicate a substantial improvement in both accuracy and efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The Paediatric Analgesia Wheel is a more time-efficient and accurate tool for prescribing analgesic and anti-emetic drugs to children.
- This device represents a valuable advancement in paediatric medication safety and administration.
- Healthcare professionals may benefit from adopting the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel for routine paediatric prescribing.
Objective:
To compare the accuracy of prescribing analgesic and anti-emetic drugs to children when using either the 2006 BNF for children (BNFC) or a new device, the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel.
Study Design:
A simulated prescription chart was created requiring doctors to prescribe seven drugs to each of two children (14 prescriptions in total). 52 doctors from anaesthesia, paediatrics and emergency medicine were recruited and randomly assigned to complete the chart using either the BNFC or a new device, the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel. The mean number of correct answers and mean time taken to complete the chart were compared.
Results:
Prescribing using the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel resulted in a significantly greater number of correct answers (mean 10.9) compared with using the BNFC (mean 3.5). In addition, the mean time taken to complete the prescription chart was significantly shorter when using the Paediatric Analgesia Wheel (5.8 min) compared with the BNFC (12.4 min).
Conclusions:
The Paediatric Analgesia Wheel provides a time-efficient method of prescribing commonly used analgesic and anti-emetic drugs to children and results in improved accuracy when compared with using the BNFC.