[INtoFL_RN]

KUSA 9news.com

KUSA - A new device is helping doctors ease their patients' minds and take away some of the pain when they get their blood drawn.

It is called the Vein Viewer.

"You see exactly where the veins are and you're able to put the needle in the first time," said Dr. Richard Baum, a radiologist.

Baum says the Vein Viewer uses infrared light which identifies the blood underneath the skin and projects a picture right on the surface of the skin.

The Vein Viewer can also be used for other purposes. "We use it for treating varicose veins at our vein center. We also use it at the hospital to try to get intravenous lines placed in patients with poor intravenous access. But just imagine a child whose veins are very small, they're not always in the same place, we can get in with a very small needle using this technology," said Baum.

It also helps people who need to get their blood drawn often, because of chronic illnesses.

"With this technology their mind is at ease. We can get in the first time, every time," said Baum.

Doctors hope in the future, as the technology improves, they will be able to see arteries and possibly organs.

[Roy Fokker]

Very cool

[parrotmom]

Funny, they've been out in the EMS field for 3 or 4 years now. They work well too and fairly reasonable 250-300 each less than the cost of a pulse ox.

[TrudyRN]

Too bad we didn't think of this years ago but glad we have it now. Let's hope it becomes commonly available.

[Jess1983]

WOW!!!! That will eliminate "hard sticks" and maybe even reduce the number of needle stick injuries sustained by healthcare workers. I can think of a whole host of good that this will come of. I hope it's mainstreamed quickly!!!

[AtlantaRN]

My facility has one in the ED, way cool, got a #18 in a patient that had only had piccs placed under fluoroscopy.....

linda

[jonear2]

Thats pretty cool, but knowing my cheap hospital I will never get to see one. We have been 6 months (literally) without airconditioning on my floor. There are portable fans everywhere (and we are in FL). And this is a level 1 trauma center with expensive commercials on television. Sorry for the rant. Maybe I will get to see a vein finder on TV one day...