New infrared vein finder avoids 'sticking' situations

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., July 28, 2016 If you've ever felt like a pincushion while giving blood or getting an IV started, technology now being used at Florida Hospital New Smyrna will be a welcome relief. Thanks to a $20,000 donation from the hospitals foundation, Florida Hospital New Smyrna now offers the AccuVein AV400 vein visualization system to help healthcare professionals locate the best vein for venipuncture, improving first stick success and reducing patient pain. Even the most experienced healthcare professionals can have difficulty accessing veins safely and quickly the first time," said Linda Breum, Florida Hospital New Smyrna chief nursing officer. "We are so grateful to our foundation for this donation, as it will make a real difference in care for those patients who struggle to have a venipuncture placed. Our staff will find it especially helpful with patients who are either obese or dehydrated, or those who have a low body temperature. This is also incredibly helpful in patients with veins that roll and those who have had frequent venipuncture during treatments. Workers at Florida Hospital New Smyrna simply point the lightweight, portable device at the skin and click to painlessly display the peripheral veins beneath. Venipuncture is the most common invasive medical procedure worldwide with an estimated 2.7 million procedures conducted every day in the U.S. alone. Studies reveal that up to one third of attempts to access a vein fail the first time, creating unnecessary patient pain and discomfort. "Bottom line, this is going to be good for our nursing staff but even better for our patients," said Diane Pugh, Florida Hospital New Smyrna executive director of nursing. "Improving patient care and outcomes is why we go to work every day and the AccuVein device will make a difference in allowing us to provide the best care." The Foundation was very pleased to assist with the donation of the AccuVein devices, said Pat Driver, chairman of the hospitals foundation. Our board works very hard supporting the hospital with its mission of delivering quality patient care. About Florida Hospital New Smyrna Florida Hospital New Smyrna is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses and nearly 8,200 licensed beds in 10 states. With 112-beds, Florida Hospital New Smyrna is one of the six Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties that composes the Florida Hospital East Florida Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region has 907 beds and more than 6,000 employees. For more information about Florida Hospital New Smyrna, visit www.FHNewSmyrna.org.