Jennifer Bartowitz, BSN, RN, VA-BC: No financial relationships to disclose
Let's face the facts: we are torturing our patients with painful venipuncture, especially in the adult patient population. But why?
The 2024 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice state that all patients undergoing painful procedures have a right to safe and effective pain management. Venipuncture is one of the most common painful procedures performed globally, yet it has been shown to cause significant pain and distress, leading to avoidance of future medical care. Despite advancements in pain management research, implementing pain management strategies during venipuncture, especially in adult patients, remains underutilized and inconsistent.
This presentation explores the importance of pain management during venipuncture in adults, reviews over 20 researched methods to reduce pain, and how to overcome the barriers to implementation in institutions.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the impact poor pain management during venipuncture has on adult patients, both physically and mentally.
Identify over 20 researched methods that are available to improve pain management during venipuncture.
Identify barriers to implementation of pain management during venipuncture.
Describe 3 realistic ways to improve pain management at their institution.
