A narrative review with practical advice on how to decrease pain and distress during venepuncture and peripheral intravenous cannulation

Abstract

Venepuncture and peripheral intravenous cannulation are two of the most commonly paediatric performed medical procedures in many healthcare settings. These procedures can cause significant pain and distress at any age, during childhood, so appropriate management is strongly recommended. This review examines the evidence related to pain and distress management during venepuncture and peripheral intravenous cannulation, including preparing the environment, assessing and preparing patients, parental involvement and psychological and pharmacological interventions. It specifically refers to neonates, children with cognitive impairment and children with difficult intravenous access. We provide a brief management strategy, with easily implemented techniques to improve daily practice.

Adolescents’ pain and distress during peripheral intravenous cannulation in a paediatric emergency setting

“…Needle-related procedures are the most common sources of distress and pain in paediatric Eds [2]. While the concern for understanding and management of the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with painful medical procedures in children has increased in past years [4,8], limited data is available for adolescents.…”

“…Therefore, an awareness of the impact on needle procedures in the EDs may be relevant in order to develop strategies to limit needle phobia in adults and its related consequences and costs. Topical and local anaesthesia through the application of anaesthetic creams or injecting buffered lidocaine is the most effective pain relief technique during peripheral intravenous cannulation [2,15]. Nevertheless, a recent survey focused on European paediatric EDs showed that their availability and use is still limited [19].…”

Effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy on pain in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…are commonly adopted clinically to relieve pain in patients. However, opioids may still cause adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression and hallucination for patients, even though its dose has been reduced [ [7] , [8] , [9] ]. Therefore, non-drug therapies, such as music therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and animal assisted therapy (AAT), are preferred by healthcare staff and patients due to their minimal side effects and easy implementation.…”

Effects of Green Color Exposure on Stress, Anxiety, and Pain during Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation in Dental Patients Requiring Sedation

“…Intravenous (IV) cannulation is an invasive procedure that provokes stress, pain, anxiety, and fear in patients [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. These unpleasant feelings can have adverse implications for future treatment and care of patients, so appropriate pain and anxiety management is of paramount importance [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…These unpleasant feelings can have adverse implications for future treatment and care of patients, so appropriate pain and anxiety management is of paramount importance [ 5 , 6 ]. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions to reduce the pain and anxiety associated with peripheral IV cannulation (PIC) have been described [ 1 , 7 , 8 ]. Although local anesthesia injection, local anesthetic cream, and vapocoolant spray are widely reported to reduce pain during PIC [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], these strategies target pain but do not address anxiety and fear.…”