02/03/2026
“Having practiced at the IWK my entire nursing career, I have witnessed the evolution of how we treat children during potentially painful procedures.” says Jacqueline van Nieuwenhuizen, Clinical Nurse Specialist, on the Pediatric Medical Unit (PMU) at IWK health. “From restraint and ‘getting it over as quickly as possible’ to employing the ‘Comfort Promise.’ When research showed a better, kinder way to care for children—reducing fear, pain, and psychological harm—I was all in.
PMU was the first unit in the hospital to start employing the ‘Comfort Promise.’ As a Pain Champion, van Nieuwenhuizen was able to share experiences with other pain champions, learn from their experiences, and receive regular education on best practice in pain management through talks from researchers and experts in the field.
“Being a pain champion has shown me how we can affect change on a personal, unit and organizational level and change practice for the better,” says van Nieuwenhuizen. “The knowledge I gained in this work translates to practice changes we can make in other areas of our care.”
“Employing the “Comfort Promise” is a very respectful way to treat children and it empowers both the child and their family. Parents and guardians have an important role to play in distracting their children during the procedure and, with guidance from health care providers, they can embrace that role and not feel so helpless.”
“It is heartwarming to see a child who is afraid of a potentially painful procedure, receive the ‘Comfort Promise’ strategies, and have a positive outcome.”
The IWK is committed to doing everything we can to prevent and treat pain through our Comfort Promises. IWK Pain Champions lead the way in using proven pain management methods and help create a culture that prioritizes comfort and care for all ages.
