Dislike or have a fear of needles?

This anxiety often stems from past experiences where patients have had to endure multiple sticks for an IV or blood draw. BMH takes pride in lessening the trauma and unnecessary pain, especially in children, by offering this new device.

The AccuVein AV300 is a portable hand-held instrument that uses infrared technology to help qualified medical professionals locate certain peripheral veins. It uses the infrared light to detect the veins beneath the skin thus illuminating the position of the veins on the skin's surface directly above the veins. This new device was funded by a grant from the Boone County Community Foundation who funded the full cost of the AccuVein AV300 in the amount of $4,331.25.

"We are very appreciative to the Boone County Community Foundation for awarding us the grant. It has already been put to great use in the Laboratory Department," said Karlie Belle Price, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at BMH.

"It's very easy to use," said Debbie Randant, Executive Director of Laboratory Services at Boone Memorial Hospital. "Of course the device doesn't replace the need for our skilled staff. However, it does allow staff to locate a vein on the first try, therefore reducing the need for multiple sticks. It really helps with people who are hard to stick or may have had infusion therapy. It helps us find the vein. We still have to judge the depths ourselves but the patients and staff are much happier overall, Randant added."

A number of factors can contribute to hard-to-find veins, such as the overuse of veins in cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, obesity, dehydration and lack of muscle and skin tone to name a few.

Whether staff is drawing blood or doing an IV, they simply hold the small, battery-powered device over a patient's hand or arm to locate a vein. "It is non-invasive, a great training method for my staff and helps patients who are afraid of needles and scared to go to the doctor, to be a little less anxious," Randant concluded.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call the Boone Memorial Hospital Laboratory Department at 304-369-8806.