Ok but what is the purpose of this technique? Why not just place the needle normally? As a professional in the field, I'm genuinely curious. I've taken blood from patients a million times and even though this could be very accurate with practice, I'm confused about why it is better than just placing the needle because there will always be some risk of missing.
Regular insertion is not slow anyway. Even if it is slower than this, with proper technique, the patient won't feel anything. Edit: before you down vote me, please read this whole comment first and consider reading my other replies as well. I'm not saying it isn't painful for most people. IT ABSOLUTELY IS, but my point is that it SHOULDN'T be. A painless blood draw is possible and unfortunately most people have a negative experience. In a perfect circumstance, it can absolutely be completely painless but people are not perfect all the time and most commonly a slight pinch is felt.The medical community needs to continuously strive to do better, myself included. Edit again: Idk how to explain this any better. Your pain and experience is valid and real. I never said anything to the contrary.
Yeah, they often told me that and it's the same as everytime a doc says "will only take a sec and you won't feel it / will not hurt anyway." That works with 4yo olds maybe.
It works for toddlers the first time. I spent a good deal of my time in the pediatrician's waiting room hiding UNDER THE TABLE where I'd run to as soon as he told my mom and I he was going to give me a "little bee sting". He lied (and I know, because I've since been stung ~15 times).
I don't believe in lying to a patient. I will never tell someone in office that they won't feel it. They shouldn't feel it in a perfect world but it's not a perfect world so I always say you might feel a pinch because usually, a pinch is all it is, and if they don't feel anything, they can be pleasantly surprised instead of unpleasantly surprised and never trust a medical professional's word again lol. It's important to set realistic expectations and if you exceed them, good. If not, at least you were honest.
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u/Background_Humor5838 Jun 10 '25
Ok but what is the purpose of this technique? Why not just place the needle normally? As a professional in the field, I'm genuinely curious. I've taken blood from patients a million times and even though this could be very accurate with practice, I'm confused about why it is better than just placing the needle because there will always be some risk of missing.