Pediatric Pain Management

Pain is a problem that affects the physical and emotional well being of children. Pain that is poorly controlled has undesirable effects on a child’s physiological, metabolic, and emotional status. The Packard Children’s Hospital Pain Management Service offers the most effective relief possible from pain and other distressing symptoms. We use a multidisciplinary team approach that combines the knowledge and expertise of pediatricians, anesthesiologists, psychologists, advance practice nurses, and physical therapists. Other professionals, such as occupational therapists and child-life specialists, are included when appropriate. A variety of inpatient and outpatient services are available. Individualized treatment plans are developed that may include both conventional medical interventions as well as a variety of complementary approaches. Interventions available include:

If you are a parent of a child in the hospital, whom you wish to be seen by a consultant in pain management, please speak with your child's doctor or nurse practitioner and ask them to request a pain management consultation.

If your child is an outpatient, please ask your child's doctor to refer your child to the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic.

If you are a health care provider and wish to refer a child for evaluation and management in the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic, please download this form and fax it to Susan Lim at (650) 736-9918.

Inpatient Pain and Symptom Management Consultation Service

The Inpatient Pain and Symptom Management Service provides consultation to hospitalized patients who are experiencing pain secondary to a variety of illness or treatment factors. Patients are evaluated by a pain management physician and a clinical nurse specialist. Involvement of other disciplines, such as physical therapy or psychology is arranged when appropriate. Problems appropriate for referral include:

  • Post-operative pain

  • Pain secondary to illness or treatment (e.g., cancer, sickle cell anemia)

  • Nausea or other unpleasant symptoms or side effects that have not been successfully managed with conventional measures.

For information regarding inpatient consultation services or to request an inpatient consultation, contact our inpatient advanced practice nurse at (650) 497-8057, or ask the page operator to page beeper number 18779.

If you are a parent of a child in the hospital whom you wish to be seen by a consultant in pain management, please speak with your child's doctor or nurse practitioner and ask them to request a pain management consultation.

Pediatric Pain and Symptom Management Clinic

The Pediatric Pain and Symptom Management Clinic provides outpatient evaluation and treatment for chronic and recurrent pain problems, as well as for other problematic symptoms (e.g., nausea). A multidisciplinary team of pediatric pain specialists staffs the clinic. A physician, nurse practitioner, psychologist, and physical therapist jointly conduct the initial assessment. The team works in close collaboration to develop an individualized treatment plan. Problems appropriate for referral to the Pediatric Pain and Symptom Management Clinic include:

  • Headaches

  • Abdominal pain

  • Complex regional pain syndrome (reflex sympathetic dystrophy)

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Myofacial pain

  • Back pain

  • Pain secondary to chronic illness (for example, arthritis, cancer, etc.)

  • Nausea

  • Cyclic vomiting

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome

If you are a health care provider and wish to refer a child for evaluation and management in the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic, please download this form and fax it to Susan Lim at (650) 736-9918.

If you are a parent, download this form, and give it to your child's doctor to refer your child to the Pediatric Pain Management Clinic.

Inpatient Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program

An inpatient pain rehabilitation program is available for children and adolescents who are disabled by chronic or recurrent pain problems and have not demonstrated adequate functional improvement with outpatient services. Children are hospitalized on a pediatric medical unit that offers a psychotherapeutic program designed to meet the needs of children and adolescents with both medical and psychological difficulties.