CW Notes

              Methodist Medical Center is the first hospital in the area to adopt state of the art technology in vascular access. The VeinViewer by Luminetx allows nurses and clinicians to see vasculature below the surface of the skin, projecting a visual roadmap to the patient’s vessels.

                Although performed frequently, venipuncture is commonly though of as one of the most painful and anxiety-provoking invasive procedures performed by nurses.

                “The VeinViewer is truly having an impact on patient care,” said Anthony Howard, Director of Emergency Services for Methodist. “With VeinViewer, we are experiencing success on even the most difficult patients. Instead of being stuck two, three or more times, with VeinViewer, they can be stuck on time, with less pain.”

                Methodist now has units available in the Emergency Department as well as the pediatric department since children on some of the more difficult patients to access veins.

                VeinViewer utilized near –infrared light, a digital video camera and an image processing unit to build an image of the patients vasculature. The device then projects that image in real-time on the patients’ skin using visible light. Health care professions can keep their hands free during procedures while the system accurately maps patients’ vasculature regardless of age, body type or skin tone.

                “This technology is changing the standard of compassionate care. We truuly believe it will become a new standard of care throughout the world.” Said David Pennington, Rn BSN, Director of Clinical Support Services, for Luminetx. “And we’re thrilled that Methodist is joining the ranks of multiple [premier health care facilities nationwide that have adopted this new technology.”