New Device Helps Find Veins

(CNN) – There is some good news for people who hate needles. A new medical device helps cut back the number of jabs you get when blood is being drawn.

Courtney Rucks just had blood drawn and has the bandage to back it up. Luckily for her needles aren’t a big deal but for others there is the Vein Viewer.

“But you put this under the vein viewer light and it’s just incredible how it picks up the veins in her hand,” explains Clint Magee.

Magee is the Director of the Progressive Care Unit at North Hills Hospital in North Richland Hills. The Vein Viewer uses near infrared light and a digital camera projects real time images on a patient’s skin. It provides a roadmap for safer sticking.

“Obviously we know needle sticks and IV starts is a huge disatisfier for patients, they have a lot of fear with that and having this tool really reduces that number thus alleviating a lot of their fears and improving their patient satisfaction.”

An estimated 10 percent of American’s are so afraid of needles that they actually avoid healthcare at all cost. Experts say the Vein Viewer works great on people with rolling veins and deep veins, as well as hard to find veins.  Mcgee says the device also works great on babies because their veins are as tiny as they are. On hard to find veins it can often take several attempts.

“If you’re looking at reduction, maybe 50 percent of the reduction of IV starts and sticks in those patients and that’s a lot.”

Next time, Rucks says she is requesting the Vein Viewer.

“Absolutely, you feel comfortable knowing they are getting the right spot and not having to stick you over and over again.”