Description of the "Valutazione del dolore" Application

The "Valutazione del dolore" (Pain Assessment) application is a specialized tool designed to facilitate the evaluation and documentation of pain in pediatric patients. This application plays a crucial role in supporting healthcare professionals by providing an efficient means to measure and record pain levels in children using validated pain assessment scales. According to the World Health Organization, pain is defined as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage." This definition underscores the importance of accurately assessing and managing pain, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children.

The application's primary function is to simplify the process of pain assessment by utilizing age-appropriate pain evaluation scales. These scales have been extensively validated in literature and are tailored to capture the level of pain experienced by children across different developmental stages. By employing these tools, healthcare providers can obtain reliable data on the intensity of pain perceived by young patients. The app allows users to input observations directly into the system, ensuring that all information is recorded systematically and consistently. Once the assessment is complete, the application securely transmits the anonymized data to a dedicated database accessible only to authorized medical personnel involved in the project.

Currently, this application is being developed exclusively for research purposes. It serves as a valuable resource for professionals engaged in the study of pediatric pain management under the supervision of Dr. Emanuela Tiozzo, who leads the Research Project on Professional Nursing Development at the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital. Dr. Riccardo Ricci, a member of the nursing development team, spearheaded the technical aspects of the app’s creation. This initiative reflects the hospital's commitment to advancing nursing practice through innovation in professional development, continuous education, and research initiatives.

The ongoing evaluation phase ensures that the application meets high standards of usability and effectiveness before it can be integrated into broader clinical settings. As part of its development strategy, the project emphasizes collaboration between clinicians and technologists to enhance the precision and accessibility of pain assessments in pediatric care. Ultimately, the goal of "Valutazione del dolore" is to improve patient outcomes by streamlining the pain evaluation process and providing healthcare providers with actionable insights derived from accurate data collection. This endeavor aligns with global efforts to prioritize compassionate care and evidence-based practices within pediatric medicine.