No one likes getting jabbed by a needle while visiting the doctor, or worse having one inserted during a hospital stay. It’s even more difficult and stressful when the patient is a kid. Healthcare workers have a hard time with the veins of young patients which results in multiple tries, more crying and the need to sometimes run an IV through the veins in a baby’s head.
Simplifying IV injections
Many hospitals are trying to make the job easier through the technology of vein viewers. “It allows us to see those veins much more clearly,” Dr. Sean Murray, a pediatrician at NEO Kids explained. “It uses technology and essentially lights up the veins.”
These machines make treatment easier for kids and the doctors and nurses helping them. “It makes my job easier because I can feel comfortable with the fact that at least when kids are coming in, they’re getting holistic care that is patient-centered and hopefully not painful,” Dr. Murray said. “Having a lot less pain and discomfort makes everybody’s job easier.”
If a patient has frequent IV injections it can make access to veins more difficult, as could other health issues such as obesity. Healthcare practitioners have to use various methods, including venipuncture, to try and find veins to use.
This new vein finder tech can help clinicians when identifying and using a vein is difficult and stressful. With the vein imaging, the success rate for IV insertion has increased by up to 100% and the time needed for the procedure has been reduced. Vein viewer locates veins and avoids valves and venous bifurcations. Using near-infrared light to create a real-time digital image of a patient’s veins.
“Vein Viewer is the only device of its kind to have a positive impact on a patient’s experience due to improved peripheral IV insertion,” said George Pinho, president, Christie Medical Holdings. “With ninety percent of hospital patients requiring venipuncture for a blood draw or IV insertion, we’re excited to demonstrate how Vein Viewer can improve the quality of care for patients, especially those with difficult venous access.”
The devices have “HD imaging and digital full field technology” and provides many benefits to patients when getting an IV, the most important, fewer attempts needed to access a vein.
How it works
It uses near-infrared light projected on the patient which is absorbed by the blood and is reflected. The information is translated and digitally projected on the patient’s skin in real time providing an accurate picture of the underlying blood vessels.
This new technology is good for all patients but especially beneficial for children and doubly so for kids having an extended stay at a hospital.