The VeinViewer®, an “effective and useful” device for nurses and patients
By Joëlle Hayek / As founding members of the Laboratoires des Biologistes Indépendants (LBI), Maymat Laboratories has 14 locations in four departments - Allier, Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, and Saône-et-Loire. As part of a commitment to continuously improving the patient experience, they have chosen the VeinViewer® - an innovation offered by Greiner Bio-One - which enables their teams to effectively visualize the venous network to ensure a safe puncture. Explanations from Dr. Dominique Lunte, a biological medicine specialist, and Dr. Isabelle Lacherade, a pharmacist and biologist.
Under what circumstances did you begin using the VeinViewer®device?
Dr. Dominique Lunte: We were already working with Greiner Bio-One, a long-standing partner. About three years ago, their team came to present the VeinViewer® to us - an innovative device that allows us to visualize a patient’s venous network in real time. We were immediately interested because, like any clinical laboratory, we regularly encounter patients who are difficult to draw blood from - due to fragile or small veins, for example. Having a solution that allows us to locate blood vessels with precision could therefore improve the comfort of both the phlebotomists and the patients. We tested the VeinViewer® at one of our sites, and given the benefits we observed, we decided to purchase about ten units to equip our MLBs.
Dr. Isabelle Lacherade: We received close support from the Greiner Bio-One teams throughout this process, even though the device is particularly easy to use. Nevertheless, all phlebotomists received training, which helped alleviate some initial apprehensions - as is often the case when a new technology is introduced. In particular, we had to reassure certain professionals by emphasizing that using the VeinViewer® does not mean you are a poor phlebotomist, but rather that you are a phlebotomist who cares about your patients’ comfort. Significantly, the Greiner Bio-One teams stayed in touch so that, after the first few months of use, they could identify potential issues and offer appropriate solutions.
How does the VeinViewer® actually work?
Dr. Dominique Lunte: By emitting near-infrared light [see Box 1], the device can be used before the venipuncture to locate potential sites and prepare for the procedure, or kept in place during the procedure to assist the phlebotomist, who can then verify the integrity of the vein throughout the process. An image frame is projected directly onto the patient’s skin and offers several viewing modes: in universal mode, the venous network is displayed in green on a black background, while in inverted mode, the veins are visible in black on a green background, allowing the device to adapt to each phlebotomist’s preferences.
Dr. Isabelle Lacherade: It is also possible to refine the level of detail displayed, adjust the image brightness to compensate for changing lighting conditions, and adjust the size of the screen projected onto the skin using three window sizes [see Box 2]. That said, the standard window is perfectly suited for the majority of patients. We use a model on wheels with a detachable arm, which we find very well designed, since the distance at which it must be positioned does not interfere with the procedure at all. Having two batteries is also a plus, as it ensures we always have a VeinViewer® ready for use. The device has also proven to be robust and reliable: in three years of use, we’ve never had a single malfunction!
You mentioned the benefits of this solution. Could you tell us more about them?
Dr. Isabelle Lacherade: The VeinViewer®does indeed make the phlebotomist’s job safer, as the venipuncture is successful on the first attempt. Personally, it has gotten me out of complicated situations several times! Using the device is also reassuring for the patient, even when there is no specific venous condition. We sometimes use it simply for educational purposes, to reassure a patient who is a bit anxious: we can show them their venous network before the draw and explain the procedure, which helps alleviate their stress. The solution is therefore very well accepted by patients, who also appreciate the fact that our laboratories have done everything possible to perform blood draws under optimal conditions.
How is the device perceived by phlebotomists?
Dr. Dominique Lunte: As we mentioned earlier, some were concerned that using the VeinViewer® might call their skills into question. A significant awareness campaign was therefore carried out during the rollout and continues for new staff members. Today, performing a blood draw using the VeinViewer® is part of the phlebotomists’ certification requirements. We have an effective and truly useful solution to better care for our patients. We must use it whenever necessary, especially since this focus on our patients’ comfort and well-being contributes to our group’s appeal, now widely recognized as a laboratory where they “draw blood well.”
1 / How does the VeinViewer® work?
The VeinViewer® projects a harmless near-infrared (NIR) light, which is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood and surrounding tissues before being reflected back to the device. The device converts this data into an image, adds color, and projects it back onto the skin to provide a real-time visualization of the blood vessels. Peripheral veins can thus be visualized up to 10 mm beneath the skin, and the blood network up to 15 mm beneath the skin’s surface. Two versions of the VeinViewer® are currently available: the VeinViewer® Flex, which is portable and compact, and the VeinViewer®Vision 2, which allows for 360° use on a detachable arm.
2 / What about the software?
The VeinViewer® is paired with the Assess™ Imaging Suite, offering a wide range of modes for optimal visualization of each patient’s veins. HIPAA-compliant, the system can capture up to 200 images of the patient’s venous network and export this data to the EHR. The CathCompass™ feature projects a reference graphic onto the skin, allowing for real-time comparison of the size of the patient’s veins with those of standard catheters on the market.
Source: Hospitalia - Le magazine de l'innovation hospitalière:
Le VeinViewer®, un dispositif « efficace et utile » pour les préleveurs et les patients
