Does Vein Finder Technology Lead to Fewer Needle Sticks?

How does vein visualization technology work?

Several different companies produce devices designed to help find veins. A quick Google search shows that you can order your own device from Amazon or Ebay if you wanted to. There is even a DIY video on YouTube that teaches how to make your own device for under $50.

I’ve personally seen three different devices in action over the years. Each one worked in a similar fashion using LED infrared light. Hemoglobin in the blood absorbs infrared light; so when the device is held above the skin, veins appear in contrast to surrounding tissue (either darker or lighter depending). At least one company has taken the technology a step further and projects a digital image of the veins back onto the skin.

I have to say that even with vein visualization devices, nurses have to rely upon their skills, and a bit of faith, to access veins that simply cannot be seen by the naked eye or infrared light. These devices do not magically make the process simple. So often with me, the vein finder simply provided confirmation that there were indeed NOT sufficient veins in the area being searched.

One of my favorite moments was when someone pulled out a keychain with an infrared light on it to quickly peek under my skin. It wasn’t as powerful as the portable, handheld devices that are commercially available, but it did seem to work to find a few veins in a small area. I should have asked where he got the keychain; maybe it’s worth carrying something like that around in your purse just for those pesky IV/blood draw situations if you are a hard stick.

Have your healthcare professionals ever used a vein finder with you? Did it seem to help?

Read this post in its entirety:

Are Vein Finders the Answer to Fewer Needle Sticks?

Autoinjection Pens for MS

Since the approval of the first disease-modifying drug in 1993, the delivery method of the injectable medications for MS has improved with the development of pre-filled syringes and auto-injection devices.  Initially medications required mixing before they were ready to be injected.  Avonex, Betaseron, and Extavia are available in powered form requiring reconstitution.

The pre-filled syringe was designed to eliminate the need for mixing medication and for easy of use.  Avonex, Copaxone, and Rebif are available in pre-filled syringes.  To assist patients who may have difficulty reaching certain areas of the body for injection, or who have limited dexterity, or who may have a needle-phobia, auto-injection devices are available for use with syringes.  Manufacturers of Betaseron, Copaxone, and Rebif provide auto-injection devices for use with their medication which are designed to be reused and loaded with new syringes for each injection.

A new trend in self-injection technique and methodology is the single-use (disposable), pre-filled autoinjector or pen which comes preassembled, loaded with medication, and ready to use.  The Avonex® Pen™ was approved in February 2012 and just last week the FDA approved the Rebif® Rebidose® pen.  With both the Avonex and Rebif pens, the needle remains covered both before and after injection.  The Avonex® Pen™ is the first intramuscular (IM) autoinjector device approved for MS which incorporates a smaller needle and helps to reduce anxiety about self-injections.

Read this post in its entirety:

Disease-Modifying Drugs for MS: New Single-Use, Auto-Injection Device Approved

Needle-Free Injections: Reality In the Future?

Biologic drugs have been used to treat RA during the past ten years. and are typically used as second-line drugs for patients who do not respond to traditional DMARDs.  Some biologics are used as first-line drugs for select patients with moderately to severely active RA.  There are nine biologics which are used for the treatment of RA, with the first receiving FDA approval in 2001.  A tenth biologic drug, Xeljanz (tofacitinib), was approved in November 2012 and should hit the market soon.

Traditionally, RA patients may be prescribed treatment with one or more of the non-biologic DMARDs before receiving treatment with a biologic drug (which is considered more aggressive).  A recent meta-analysis of 70 studies involving drugs used for RA compared the effectiveness of various treatments and combination of treatments in preventing joint erosion caused by RA as seen on x-ray image.  One outcome of the analysis revealed that combination treatment with 2 DMARDs plus periodic steroid treatment may be as effective as a biologic agent plus methotrexate (Graudal, 2010).

Besides being very expensive, a drawback to the biologic medications has been that they are given as subcutaneous injection (shot under the skin) or intravenous (IV) infusion.  However, many patients who fear self-injections are able to learn to give themselves shots with appropriate training and support.

Read this post in its entirety:

DMARDs, Biologics for RA, and Needle-Free Injections