Children's experience with receiving equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) sedation during hospital
Cathrine Iren Iversen1, Ellen Andersen1, Kristine Solvang1
1Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Østfold Hospital Trust, Norway.
Insights
Children undergoing medical procedures reported positive experiences with equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO), including reduced fear and dream-like sensations. This intervention may help manage anxiety and stress in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Pharmacological Interventions
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) is used in pediatric procedures.
- Limited understanding exists regarding children's subjective experiences with EMONO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe children's personal experiences receiving EMONO during hospital procedures.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, exploratory study design.
- Semi-structured interviews with six children (aged 10-16).
- Thematic analysis of interview data.
Main Results:
- Children reported euphoria, dream-like states, and altered sensory experiences.
- Experiences included physical changes and reduced fear related to procedures.
- Partial awareness was maintained during dream-like sensations.
Conclusions:
- EMONO elicits diverse physical, sensory, and emotional responses in children.
- Children reported less procedural fear and willingness to use EMONO again.
- Findings support EMONO as a valuable tool for reducing pediatric anxiety and stress.
Background:
Equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) is administered to children during hospital procedures, but there is limited knowledge about children's experiences with receiving this intervention.
Objective:
To describe how children experience receiving EMONO during hospital procedures, using their own words.
Method:
A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted at a hospital in the southeast of Norway between March and May 2023. Six children aged 10 to 16 years participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used. The project was approved by Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research (SIKT ref. no. 416290).
Results:
The main findings were that children experience euphoria, dreamlike states, physical changes, altered sensory experiences, and care less about their fears related to the procedure.
Conclusion:
Children in the study described physical, sensory, and emotional responses to EMONO, including both positive and negative experiences. Those with repeated exposure noted that each instance differed. All children reported less fear related to the procedure and expressed willingness to receive EMONO again in similar clinical situations. The children described dream-like sensations while maintaining partial awareness. Their statements support EMONO as a potentially valuable pharmacological intervention for reducing anxiety and stress in children undergoing medical procedures in hospital settings.
Application To Practice:
Children's experiences with receiving EMONO can be used to better prepare, facilitate, and administer this intervention to children. It can help to understand potential reactions and to prevent and minimise uncomfortable experiences.
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