J tip - Anyone using this?

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Hi,

I just saw this ,although it may have been out for a while. J-tip syringe that uses gas instead of a needle to put Lidocaine into the sub q space before IV insertion.

Is anyone using this? How well does it work?

I think this would be great for diabetics if they can use it for Insulin, as I am sure it is already being tested for that!

Annie

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I know of Children's Hospitals using them for PIV insertion but they are somewhat expensive.

I personally would think something like it would be a bit overkill for insulin unless the patient had some serious issues.

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Yes, we use them for peds patients for IV's. They work well for older school-aged kids and teens....those old enough to understand what it is. If the patient is too young, it's just one more thing to freak them out. And yes, for insulin that seems like overkill.

I don't know how much they cost. We can use a standing order for them whenever we want though.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

I bet if you were a diabetic you wouldn't think it was overkill!!

Annie

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I bet if you were a diabetic you wouldn't think it was overkill!!

Annie

I don't know of any diabetics who would seek out a local anesthetic for their SQ injections. J-tips are not always considered pain free by patients, it's debatable whether or not the total amount of perceived pain would be less, more likely it would just make for 2 minor discomforts compared to 1. Plus they cost money, buying the volume that a hospital does they cost about $2 a piece, buying for one person would probably push that price to around $4, so that could add around $16 a day.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Ummm... clearly there is a miscommunication here :eek:. I meant to actually give the Insulin, not to numb the site first!!! It would have to push it a little deeper, but according to the manufacturing that may just be a matter of increasing pressure at the site of injection!

I suspect over time more manufacturers will develop their own similar syringe and the price may come down!

Annie

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I would like to add to all comments about the J-Tip cost that they might not aware of it; the J-Tip is a unique design and made out over 10 components which makes possible to provide an anesthetic effect in 1-2 minutes versus EMLA takes 45-60 minutes. It's specifically helpful in the ER when you have time constraints and children are not cooperative. It saves time and eliminates multiple Needle Sticks.

With saying that, the cost of the J-Tip is only $4 which saves a lot $$$$ of your institution. I guess when we pay for our coffee at Starbucks for $4, we don't think it's made of just water and few coffee beans and we happily pay $4.

But when it comes to providing pain comfort to tiny hands or fearful children who needs your help, we start thinking of cost which is worth every dollar when you see SMILE on their face!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

I used J-tips at my old facility and overall was not a fan of them, and found most patients were not either. The pressure from the J-tip was so strong that it could cause bleeding at the site, so it wasn't completely pain-free itself. Plus it gives off a loud sound like you're opening a can of coke, which often scared the younger children. And like other alternatives, I found that it vasoconstricted the veins to make them disappear.

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May be your facility clinical members didn't get adequate hands-on training to use the J-Tip correctly and it could be the reason your patients were not happy nor you received expected results. It's like riding a bicycle, if you don't know how to ride correctly, you may fall and get hurt.

With the noise, you should ask CLS to help you or you can let kid knows prior that it will sound similar as opening can of Soda. Have you seen any young kids get scared when they open can of soda? Since they are aware of that sound, they enjoy the soda without blinking their eyes.

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7 minutes ago, Jenbak said:

May be your facility clinical members didn't get adequate hands-on training to use the J-Tip correctly and it could be the reason your patients were not happy nor you received expected results. It's like riding a bicycle, if you don't know how to ride correctly, you may fall and get hurt.

With the noise, you should ask CLS to help you or you can let kid knows prior that it will sound similar as opening can of Soda. Have you seen any young kids get scared when they open can of soda? Since they are aware of that sound, they enjoy the soda without blinking their eyes.

Are you employed by or have financial ties to J-tip?

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No, neither of it. I am just individual like you who enjoys and love helping patients.

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20 minutes ago, Jenbak said:

May be your facility clinical members didn't get adequate hands-on training to use the J-Tip correctly

That's a little ham-fisted don't you think?

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