Cutting edge equipment reduces patient trauma when receiving treatment

New technology used to quickly and accurately find veins has arrived at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The AccuVein Vein Viewing System is a portable device which shows up veins on the surface of the skin.

One of the first patients to benefit from this machine at QEHB is Arthur Norton. The 58 year old said: “I’m really pleased with it. On some occasions I have had to be sent home from hospital because they can’t find a vein. Since the machine nurses have been able to find a vein through which to give me my medication on the first attempt and it saves them time, and me pain.”

Peter Checklin, a nurse who has used the machine, explains: “having the AccuVein reduces failures when looking for patients’ veins. For lots of our patients, their veins have been ‘overused’ during many years of chemotherapy or have been damaged by the treatments they receive. For those patients with difficult access it reduces the trauma and stress of multiple cannulation attempts.”

“Nursing time is freed to get on with other aspects of their care. Quicker access means patients receive their treatments in a timely manner and it also takes the uncertainty out of whether or not the treatment can be administered at all. It is already proving invaluable to patients and staff alike.

“It is a relatively new piece of technology and we feel fortunate to have it here at the QEHB.”

QEHB Charity Chief Executive Mike Hammond, said: “we are excited to have this piece of equipment here at QEHB. This is a great example of how the funds raised for the QEHB Charity benefit both patients and staff alike.”

The machines were funded by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity and cost £3,300.

If you’d like more information about how QEHB Charity supports patients, please go to www.qehb.org or call 0121 371 4852.