AccuVein Summary
There are a large number of studies testing whether or not the use of a near-infrared light does in fact help medical professionals see veins, otherwise not visible to the eye. The study I chose, observed the effectiveness of three different devices used to see the veins under the skin. Those three devices are the VeinViewer®, AccuVein®, and VascuLuminator®.
Ensuring the devices were operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the medical professionals participating, were in-serviced by each of the three device distributors and had at least one month of training before beginning the study. The control group was allowed to use the device of their choice only after two unsuccessful attempts.
The operators of the devices were all allowed to adjust the settings to their personal likings. The VeinViewer® was placed just above the puncture site and illuminated the skin in green. The AccuVein® was a hands free device, placed above the puncture site, which illuminated the skin at a right angle in red. The VascuLuminator® is placed directly above the site and displays the veins on a screen.
The VeinViewer and AccuVein were both used intermittently, and had higher success rates than the VascuLuminator. The VeinViewer continues to be the professional’s choice
Although the devices successfully make veins visible, neither of them have been able to prove a higher success rate at accessing vein
After the studies were concluded, it was observed that peripheral intravenous cannulation in children, remains to be an issue.
Graaff, J. C., Cuper, N. J., Mungra, R. A., Vlaardingerbroek, K. K., Numan, S. C., & Kalkman, C. J. (2013). Near-infrared light to aid peripheral intravenous cannulation in children: A cluster randomised clinical trial of three devices Near-infrared light to aid peripheral intravenous cannulation in children: a cluster randomised clinical trial of three devices. Anaesthesia, 68(8), 835-845. doi:10.1111/anae.12294
Ensuring the devices were operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the medical professionals participating, were in-serviced by each of the three device distributors and had at least one month of training before beginning the study. The control group was allowed to use the device of their choice only after two unsuccessful attempts.
The operators of the devices were all allowed to adjust the settings to their personal likings. The VeinViewer® was placed just above the puncture site and illuminated the skin in green. The AccuVein® was a hands free device, placed above the puncture site, which illuminated the skin at a right angle in red. The VascuLuminator® is placed directly above the site and displays the veins on a screen.
The VeinViewer and AccuVein were both used intermittently, and had higher success rates than the VascuLuminator. The VeinViewer continues to be the professional’s choice
Although the devices successfully make veins visible, neither of them have been able to prove a higher success rate at accessing vein
After the studies were concluded, it was observed that peripheral intravenous cannulation in children, remains to be an issue.
Graaff, J. C., Cuper, N. J., Mungra, R. A., Vlaardingerbroek, K. K., Numan, S. C., & Kalkman, C. J. (2013). Near-infrared light to aid peripheral intravenous cannulation in children: A cluster randomised clinical trial of three devices Near-infrared light to aid peripheral intravenous cannulation in children: a cluster randomised clinical trial of three devices. Anaesthesia, 68(8), 835-845. doi:10.1111/anae.12294