Quality Impact on Diagnostic Blood Specimen Collection Using a New Device to Relieve Venipuncture Pain

Abstract

A new device called Buzzy Ò has been recently presented that combines a cooling ice pack and a vibrating motor in order to relieve the venipuncture pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Buzzy Ò use during diagnostic blood specimen collection by venipuncture for routine immunochemistry tests. Blood was collected from 100 volunteers by a single, expert phlebotomist. A vein was located on the left forearm without applying tourniquet, in order to prevent any interference from venous stasis, and blood samples were collected using a 20-G straight needle directly into 5 mL vacuum tubes with clot activator and gel separator. In sequence, external cold and vibration by Buzzy Ò was applied on the right forearm-5 cm above the chosen puncture site-for 1 min before venipuncture and continued until the end of the same procedure already done in the left forearm. The panel of tests included the following: glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, c-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, AST, ALT, g-glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, total bilirubin, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium, chloride, lipase, cortisol, insulin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, total triiodothyronine, free triiodothyronine, total thyroxine, free thyroxine and haemolysis index. Clinically significant differences between samples were found only for: total protein, albumin and transferrin. The Buzzy Ò can be used during diagnostic blood specimens collection by venipuncture for the majority of the routine immunochemistry tests. We only suggest avoiding this device during blood collection when protein, albumin and transferrin determinations should be performed.

Benefits of the application of heat and pressure on peripheral venous cannulation in adults: A randomized controlled trial

“…Twenty‐gage diameter IV catheter, EDTA K2 tube and Vacutainer™ are commonly used along with certified systems (Lima‐Oliveira et al., 2013, 2015). VIA scale is a validated classification of the peripheral venous system in terms of vascular access.…”

Efficacy of Buzzy Device Versus EMLA Cream for Reducing Pain During Needle-Related Procedures in Children

“…15 However, there was a higher success rate of the procedure at the first attempt with the Buzzy device reported by Baxter et al 11 There was a reported concern about the effect of cold vibration Buzzy on the reported blood levels of transferrin, proteins, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocytes. 22,23 Our attempts to ascertain the clinical significance of these alterations in the pediatric emergency setting were limited because these tests were not clinically indicated in a significant proportion of our cohort. The results of these tests often came as part of the general workup (eg, complete blood count as part of the workup for infection or complete metabolic panel for organ function) and did not modify the clinical decision-making, indicating that the concern about these parameters might not be of clinical significance.…”

“…There were no anticipated adverse events with using the Buzzy device apart from the concern of false high protein, albumin and transferrin, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. 22,23 The benefits of the anticipated outcome outweigh the possible effects of the stated tests, particularly in a busy ED. However, the treating physician was alerted for such possibilities to be considered and then if the clinical decision would be affected.…”

Cortisol level and suicidal risk

“…In the present study, the control of confounding factor is questionable. The control of venipuncture pain and hemolysis which is an important primary inference on blood cortisol level should be considered (Lima-Oliveira et al 2013; Snyder et al 2004) and there is a remained question on the present study by Ahmed et al (Ahmed et al 2016) on the mentioned confounding factor. In clinical chemistry laboratory diagnostic test, the aberration of cortisol level can be seen in case with venipuncture pain and hemolytic samples (Lima-Oliveira et al 2013; Snyder et al 2004).…”