{"id":4933,"date":"2023-11-06T10:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T08:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eu.bd.com\/iv-news\/?p=4933"},"modified":"2023-12-19T13:38:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T11:38:15","slug":"straight-to-the-point-how-to-better-manage-needle-phobia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eu.bd.com\/iv-news\/news-innovation\/straight-to-the-point-how-to-better-manage-needle-phobia\/","title":{"rendered":"Straight to the point: how to better manage needle phobia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you having trouble administering injections to patients with needle phobia? <\/span><\/p>\n

The fear of needles is frequent. An estimated 63% of children and 24% of adults reported experiencing needle phobia or trypanophobia according to the results of a survey published in 2012<\/span>1<\/span><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

High levels of anxiety contribute to needle phobia2<\/sup><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

High anxiety typically manifests itself as a severe apprehension of needle procedures2<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Needle phobia may cause your patients to delay or even avoid necessary medical procedures3<\/sup><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

This can compromise inpatient and outpatient treatment4<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

From<\/span> fear<\/span> to <\/span>pathological disorder<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although less frequent than the fear of needles, pathological needle phobia is an extreme psychiatric disorder3<\/sup><\/span>. Its symptoms include stimulus avoidance, a diphasic vasovagal response, an increase then sudden decrease in blood pressure, which may lead to fainting3<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The sight of blood may trigger this vasovagal response<\/span>2<\/span><\/sup>. A past needle-related traumatic event involving bleeding is one factor that can lead to developing this phobia3<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn about<\/span><\/span><\/strong> Helping patients and the planet, one injection at a time!<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Needle <\/span>size<\/span>: a factor in needle phobia?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the major factors for developing needle phobia is pain<\/span>2<\/span><\/sup>. Frequency of pain has been shown to vary significantly according to needle gauge5<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a 2020 global survey of 875 clinicians in 19 countries, approximatively 80% of clinicians reported using thin-wall needles at least monthly and believe there are benefits, including the option to use a finer gauge needle, which could provide a better, less painful patient experience6<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The possibility of bleeding following injection has also been shown to decrease as needle diameter decreases5<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn about<\/span><\/b> Feeling down after a needlestick injury? You\u2019re not alone<\/a><\/p>\n

Six recommendations to help mitigate needle phobia in your patients<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Be aware of the psychosocial factors leading your patients to develop a fear or phobia of injections3,7<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Tailor your fear mitigation strategies to each patient7<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Explain the procedure and what will happen7<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Distract fearful patients with toys or videos7<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Decorate syringe barrels with colourful stickers (e.g., musical notes, smiley faces or flowers)4<\/sup><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Use a smaller gauge to help reduce pain5<\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Thin-wall needles have a narrower steel wall, which enables the use of a smaller gauge needle8<\/sup><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

    To learn more about the advantages of thin-wall needles, watch the video and download the brochure below.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Download the brochure<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n