One fear that many patients have when it comes to blood withdrawal is that they’re going to get stuck in the wrong place by a nurse. Not only does it hurt, but it leaves the patient doubtful of the nurse’s capabilities.
A person’s veins are a vital part of their body’s inner workings, and as such can show signs of various health problems. They may stick out more, cause pain, or be itchy.
However, chances are that the issue won’t always be easily visible. That’s where a vein viewer comes in.
A solution to this is investing in a vein viewer for your office. As with all medical equipment, they cost quite a bit, but are they worth the cost?
What are Vein Viewers
Vein viewers help medical professionals look at veins without needing to poke around to find them. It shows a map of the veins under a patient’s skin in real-time, so there are no issues with sticking needles or damaging them with another operation.
Although not all vein finder devices work the same, they all work using the same fundamentals.
The hemoglobin in your blood absorbs light at a different rate than other parts of your body. Vein viewer devices use near-infrared light that is absorbed by your blood, which causes a person’s veins to become outlined on the surface of their skin.
Vein Viewer Types
There are three main types of vein viewers, all using near-infrared light differently.
An infrared light projected vein viewer looks like a thermometer but shows a person’s veins by lighting them up under the skin. They’re not very large and are best used for quick procedures.
An infrared light screen display vein viewer shows more details than the previous kind. A wand connected to a tablet device is used to move the infrared light up and down a patient’s arm. The screen shows their veins in real-time.
The third device, a LED transmitting vein viewer, is the most portable option. They’re generally much smaller than the other two and can be carried around in a nurse’s pocket for any procedure. A bright light is pressed against the skin with pressure and makes the selected vein easy to see.
You’ll also see variants of these types of vein viewers, such as a vein probe that functions with a screen display in a single tabletop device.
Vein Viewer Pros and Cons
One of the vein viewer advantages is it makes for an easy blood drawing procedure.
Normally, a nurse would have to feel around for a vein or make it visible with a tourniquet. However, that doesn’t always work as well as they’d hope if a patient is dehydrated or has fatty tissue obstructing the vein.
A vein viewer isn’t so limited. You can use it anywhere on the human body to locate veins for whatever medical procedure that’s planned. Notably, it can help you find the median cubital vein, which can be difficult to find for even trained medical professionals.
Similarly, vein viewer devices make IV access easier by helping to avoid unnecessary pain. While blood drawing is one and done, a patient in a hospital may require the use of multiple veins for an extended stay. You may as well make sure you’re leaving them with as few extra holes as is absolutely necessary.
They’re also a great companion for cosmetic procedures. The last thing any doctor wants is to nick a vein during a relatively minor operation. It can also help them avoid injecting filler into a vein on accident.
The only times you may consider not purchasing a vein viewer is if your office doesn’t specialize in anything related, such as if you’re a dermatologist or an eye doctor.
Vein Viewer Cost
How much a vein viewer costs depends on what you need it to do and the model you purchase.
For example, a vein finder device made specifically for babies and children under two years of age is small and sells for under $100. A pediatrics office would consider this a very affordable investment that can help make the visit much easier for their patients.
Meanwhile, a rechargeable vein finder with mobile support could run you as much as $4,000. The benefit of purchasing this model is that it can be used in an emergency room and provide better imaging with adults.
Vein Viewer Reviews
As previously mentioned, the type of vein viewers you buy will depend on your needs.
For sclerotherapy, consider the Veinlite LEDX Adult Transilluminator Vein Finder. At $600, it boasts 32 LEDs that work well with obese adult patients. The color choices of 24 orange and 8 red LEDs allow it to work with both lighter and darker skin tones.
A clinic requires a higher-grade vein finder, such as the Vivolight, VIVO500S Vein Scanner. Although it’s one of the most accurate ones on the market right now, it also can cost you as much as $3,000.
If you want something with high-quality and portability, you should check out the VS30 Vein Viewer. It’s handheld, has adjustable brightness, and selectable colors for different skin tones. You can also purchase a mobile floor stand and a desk mount for it.
Avoid Needless Pricking
Whether you work in a hospital or a small clinic, vein viewers can make for a wonderful investment. Your patients will rest easy knowing your nurses won’t stick any needles in the wrong spots, and the information you gain about their veins can help individualize their treatments.
At Outpatient Supply, we offer a variety of vein viewers as well as bladder scanners, CPAP systems, and more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help outfit your office with the leading tech in medical care.
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