To minimize researcher bias, the field notes were reviewed and coded by another experienced researcher (the third author). The themes identified by the second coder were similar to those identified by the principal researcher. The second researcher suggested combining some of the categories.Follow- ing discussion seven emergent themes were agreed upon: pain assessment; pain medications; nonphar- macological methods; nurses’ expectations of the child; communication; documentation; and child and parental expectations.A key change at this time, for example, was to group data regarding the assess- ment and reassessment of pain together. To provide a fuller picture of the pattern of pain care on the unit, some data were also quantified