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Children and adults often dread being stung
As the first hospital in the Netherlands, UMC Utrecht recently started taking blood samples under ‘ultrasonic guidance’. With this, doctors and nurses make veins in the elbow fold visible, making it easier to take blood. An advantage for the patient, young and old: taking blood is faster, more efficient and often in one go.
Children and adults often dread being stung. “When patients come for a blood test, we often see a certain unrest. They often say: ‘I hate it’ or: ‘It never works for me in 1 go’. We take patients’ fears seriously and try to keep the peace. Our medical pedagogical care staff and medical psychologists help us with this,” says Esther van der Roest, unit manager at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ). To experience as little pain and anxiety as possible when taking blood, UMC Utrecht also uses various materials and methods. For example, the Pain and Anxiety Rem (PAR) or the Prik! app that helps parents prepare their children for a blood test, an IV or an injection. But also the special ointment EMLA® ointment, which numbs the skin locally. As a result, a child feels less of a blood test, placing an IV or injection.
Preventing successful blood sampling and needlestick fear
But now it is also possible to take blood samples under ultrasound guidance at the (outpatient) clinics of the UMC Utrecht and the WKZ. This offers great advantages for patients of all ages, in whom the veins in the elbow fold are not clearly visible. And also in patients whose veins are vulnerable or damaged by treatments with certain medications.
With the help of the ultrasound, the doctor or nurse can view and assess the quality of the veins in addition to the depth of placement and the needle location. This virtually guarantees the chance of a successful blood collection, especially in patients who are difficult to inject. And we prevent patients from developing needlestick fear. Esther: “The first patients (and parents as well) react enthusiastically. And because the ultrasound gives a good picture of the place where the needle is injected, the patient also gains confidence that it will turn out well. It gives the patient a little bit of control back.”
Extension of the fingers
In the Netherlands, blood sampling is performed by feeling as standard. The doctor or nurse feels where the vein is and determines the puncture site. “If you can’t feel anything or have no certainty (think of small blood vessels) you will normally quickly run out of options. In this situation, the echo acts as an extension of the fingers. And this is unique, the techniques are not available at other blood collection locations,” says Esther.
Is robot distraction the future?
In addition to many methods and developments such as ultrasound-guided blood tests, UMC Utrecht is conducting research into the most effective way to reduce pain and anxiety. WKZ specializes in children with a fear of needlesticks and asked students from Hogeschool Utrecht and researchers to investigate what social robots could mean for them. “The robots are not being used yet, but it would certainly be an option in the future to really use these robots more often and in more places. For this it is important that the robot is used autonomously as much as possible. HU Stories: Not afraid of a jab | University of applied sciences of Utrecht
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https://www.umcutrecht.nl/nieuws/prikken-zonder-angst-met-echogeleide-bloedafname - Original title:
Prick without fear with ultrasound-guided blood sampling - Target audience:
Healthcare professionals - Datum:
2022-12-20