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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk3ourZT1XY

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Use in the Obese
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glKDzAXde_4

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Use in Darker skin tones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBbtZHNXIRg

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Use in Pediatric Pt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyejWO-FHo

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Use in the Elderly Pt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRdqji4Sdrc

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AccuVein AV 400

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I have never used an illumination device, therefore I cannot say if they are effective or not.  However, as a nurse that works in a correctional setting, we have many individuals we term as “hard to stick” and I think this would be a great addition if it is truly efficient and effective to where it: improves venipuncture success with a decreased number of attempts, increases patient satisfaction, and improves the patient outcome.  Many of the nurses I have spoken with that have used a vein illumination device have had nothing but great things to say about it.  They think it was one of the greatest inventions.  However, there are a few that are not impressed with the devices and state they would just like to stick to the old “look and palpate.”  Technology is here to stay and if it makes our job more efficient and effective and it improves our patients’ outcome, I am ready for the change.  I would just like to see more research that is completed to evaluate the effectiveness of the products for patients, staff, and organizations.

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1.  Cost
2.  Acceptance
3.  Lack of evidenced-based research to show effectiveness

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1.  Patient satisfaction
2.  Cost effective
3. Improved patient care

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A vein illumination device, also known as vein finder, is a biomedical device which uses near infrared light to illuminate subcutaneous veins on skin surface. These devices have applications in most health care arenas, such as: hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, blood collection centers, blood donation centers, ambulances, rehabilitation facilities, and academic institutions. They are beneficial for staff that are having difficulty visualizing or accessing veins for venipunctures.  This difficulty could be a result of the patient’s general health condition, age, intravenous drug use (chemotherapy as well as illicit), obesity, and skin pigmentation.

AccuVein Inc., the market leader in the vein illumination device market, recently launched a new vein viewing system on March 4, 2013, the AccuVein AV400 (AccuVein, 2013).  The AV400 is reported to be more user friendly and the user will be able to hold the device in any direction over the skin and it has a larger viewing range than the previous AV300.  The AV400 can see veins at a depth of 10mm and an inverse mode highlights smaller veins to allow user to visualize them better.  This device weighs less than 10 ounces and can be used as a handheld portable device or hand-free with the right accessories.  The system is used by displaying a “map directly on the skin’s surface, enabling doctors and nurses to locate veins for IV starts, blood draws, sclerotherapy, general surgery, and other medical procedures (Michaels, 2013, para. 1), such as cosmetic injectables.

In a report  published by Grand View Research (2016), it is estimated that the “global vein illuminator market is expected to reach USD 358.5 million by 2024” due to the aging population and the focus on patient satisfaction (para. 1).  Factors such as rising blood donation, desire to improve patient comfort and satisfaction with respect to the medical service and blood drawing for checkup is contributing to the rising demand for vein illumination devices.