Use of finer needles for venipuncture increases in vitro haemolysis despite reducing persistent pain and nerve injury: A retrospective study

Author:

Umemura Hiroshi1ORCID,Takahashi Hiromichi1,Fukuda Yoshiaki2,Soma Hitoshi2,Aoki Rumiko2,Takei Norihisa2,Nakayama Tomohiro12

Affiliation:

1. Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

2. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nihon University Itabashi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

Background Although venipuncture is minimally invasive, and is the most frequently performed medical procedure, it carries the small risk of causing persistent pain, including nerve damage. Recently, our hospital stopped using 22-gauge needles for venipuncture in outpatients and switched to using only 23- and 25-gauge needles. We investigated the impact of using only the finer needles on the incidence of persistent or neuropathic pain and the prevalence of haemolysis, as well as the impact of haemolysis associated with the needle change on other laboratory data. Methods We retrospectively collected and analysed data on venipuncture-associated pain complaints made during the 1-year period prior and 1-year period after the change in needles, as well as the frequency of haemolysis before and after the change. We also focused on 90 cases that showed significant haemolysis after the needle change and compared the serum aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and potassium levels before and after the needle change. Results The incidence of persistent pain was significantly reduced from 1 in 10,825 venipunctures before the change to 1 in 29,747 venipunctures after the change. Notably, no patients experienced neuropathic pain after the change. However, the prevalence of haemolysis was significantly increased. Additionally, the serum aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and potassium levels were significantly elevated in the cases that showed moderate to gross haemolysis after the needle change. Conclusion Using finer needles involves both advantages and disadvantages, and careful consideration is needed to determine which type of needle is in the best interests of the patient.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Clinical Biochemistry,General Medicine

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3