Anyone with a chronic illness will testify that they spend a lot of time in the doctor’s office having blood work done. Which means getting pricked with a lot of needles, which can sometimes take two or three (or more) attempts to find a compliant vein.
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This Humans of the Future Facebook video has the answer to temperamental veins. The VeinViewer is a handheld device that uses near-infrared light to create a digital image of a person’s veins. The machine will help doctors and nurses find veins, making transfusions, inserting IVs, and taking blood samples much quicker and easier for everyone.
The device can also be used to locate valves and bifurcations as deep as 15mm and shows any accidental punctures. It will also help medical professionals find the best point of insertion and will help guide needles through any curves in the veins. It has been found to improve first-time stick success by 100 percent.
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Hi
I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this: ongoing pain months later in the exact same spot where an IV was previously inserted. I have actually marked the spot with a pen and then have repeatedly been able to find the same spot with my eyes closed! The site aches all the time, especially when the weather is cold. It has been 4 months since the IV was inserted, and it was inserted for only about an hour for a cardio stress test.
Thanks!
It may also help if you’re really nice to the person drawing your blood! I try to joke with them and make them smile. I also get them to promise to be “gentle with me.” (Always gets a laugh!) I’ve actually had one look at me and question my “tracks” like I was some sort of intravenous drug user! I told her I just had a lot of gals like herself wanting some of my blood. This device will certainly help and may cut down on the bruising as well.
Jokes… lots of jokes. Puts everyone at ease. At least those with the sharp needles.