Analgesia with IV Start

[ogrern2002]

My facility is currently looking at writing a policy regarding the use of an analgesic (such as Lidocaine, ELmax, Bacteriostatic NS), My question is does anyone else have in policy a requirement to use one prior to an IV start? What are people's feeling on the routine use of analgesics prior to IV starts? Part of the policy also wants a followup 30 to 60 minutes after the start if the patient has pain? Is this reasonable?

[cherricka]

"It is my PERSONAL OPINION that nurses who do not use local to start IVs (in a non-emergency situation) are lazy. Good nursing care is doing what is best for the patient, not what is easiest for you"

Yoga-

It isn't that nurses are lazy, it just may not be the policy! I would love to cause less pain, and make the patient more comfortable. I beg PCP's to order this, but they most always resist.

[CrohnieToo]

As a patient I would prefer that the choice of a local prior to IV set be left up to the patient. I, for one, MUCH PREFER NOT to have a local prior to an IV set. Yet I have friends who find blood draws and IVs painful and they would surely appreciate a local prior to the IV set, I'm sure.

Giving the patient the option makes the most sense to me and seems to be just a matter of common sense. If you have patient who doesn't mind IV sets why waste the time and expense? If you have a patient who is apprehensive or prefers to have a local before an IV set it certainly is more caring and humane to give the local before the set.