KEYWORDS:
Comforting restraint, parental involvement, childhood immunizations, immunization administration, communication, Vaccine Safety

BACKGROUND:
Identifying and controlling the immunization injection site is a key responsibility for the nurse giving the shot. Restraining the child provides and opportunity for the parent to become appropriately and actively involved in the immunization process. Proper restraint can make the process safer and more effective for infants and young children. Anecdotal evidence shows that health care providers are more comfortable administering multiple shots when the child's limbs are properly restrained. Parents express feeling empowered when they participate in the immunization process, and they also help calm, comfort and distract the child as they hold him/her.

OBJECTIVE(S):
Provider will administer multiple injections more effectively and more safely.
Parent will be empowered and active in the immunization process.

METHOD(S):
Office/clinic flyer in English and Spanish. The flyer can be used independently or in coordination with the Comfort Measures poster (presented at last year's NIC).

RESULT(S):
Not available at this time.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
Parental involvement during immunization benefits the child, the parent and the provider. Parents who restrain their child by embracing him/her also can help calm the child. The parent feels empowered because s/he is essential to a safe, effective and caring immunization process. When a patient is restrained appropriately, the provider can administer immunizations safely and effectively.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Involve the parent in the immunization process by having them hold their child. Encourage parents to restrain their infants or young children with comforting restraining techniques. With parent's help provider is able to administer injections more effectively.