Practical Pain Management and Procedural Sedation for Children

Hugs and Drugs

This webinar focuses on the practical application of pain management and procedural sedation strategies that support safe, compassionate paediatric care. Building on the philosophy of the Hugs and Drugs campaign, participants will explore how combining effective pharmacological management with therapeutic communication and family-centred care can transform the procedural experience for children. 
CPD HOURS: 1

Course Content

Pain associated with healthcare procedures remains one of the most common sources of distress for children. Despite advances in paediatric pain science, analgesia and procedural sedation remain underutilised in many clinical environments, contributing to unnecessary suffering, increased procedural failure and avoidable restraint.

This webinar focuses on the practical application of pain management and procedural sedation strategies that support safe, compassionate paediatric care. Building on the philosophy of the Hugs and Drugs campaign, participants will explore how combining effective pharmacological management with therapeutic communication and family-centred care can transform the procedural experience for children. 

Participants will review contemporary approaches to assessing paediatric pain, selecting appropriate analgesia and understanding the role of minimal, moderate and procedural sedation across different clinical settings. Common medications, routes of administration, indications, contraindications and safety considerations will be discussed, together with appropriate monitoring and preparation requirements.

The webinar will also explore non-pharmacological interventions including distraction, play, preparation, positioning, caregiver coaching and environmental modification, highlighting how these approaches complement pharmacological management rather than replace it.
Through practical case studies, participants will develop confidence in selecting appropriate pain management strategies based on the child's developmental stage, clinical condition and procedural requirements. 

The session will emphasise multidisciplinary collaboration, informed consent, family engagement and advocating for adequate analgesia before procedures commence. By integrating evidence-based pharmacology with compassionate nursing practice, participants will gain practical knowledge to improve procedural success while reducing distress, restraint and negative healthcare experiences for children and their families.

Why this Session may be Relevant to your Work

This webinar is relevant to my practice because it strengthens my knowledge of evidence-based paediatric pain management and procedural sedation. It will help me provide safer, more compassionate care and improve children's experiences during procedures.

Learning Outcomes

In this session, you will:
  • Review current principles of paediatric pain assessment and management
  • Recognise appropriate analgesia and sedation options for common procedures
  • Explore non-pharmacological strategies that complement pharmacological care
  • Apply safe, family-centred approaches to procedural pain management

Lucy Osborn

RN, GradCertPaediatricNg (CritCare), Research (Hons) PhD Candidate, FACN

Lucy Osborn brings experience across clinical practice, academia and national leadership, with a strong reputation for delivering engaging, high-impact education for nurses at every stage of their career. She is currently undertaking a PhD focused on nursing competence assessment and recently delivered the keynote address at the 2025 Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Nurses Forum. Lucy is also the youngest Fellow in ACN’s history — a distinction that reflects her commitment to leadership, mentorship and professional advocacy.