Capillary blood collection and testing is preferable on neonates, infants, and young children due to the lack of appropriate veins and a reduced blood volume of the patient. Venipuncture should be avoided due to the risk of complications, such as clots, infection, damage to surrounding tissues, damage to the infant from holding while performing venipuncture, hemorrhage, reflex arteriospasm, gangrene of an extremity, etc. Regardless of the collection method, needle phobia and fear of pain are real and extremely common in young patients. A routine blood collection encounter can become a traumatic experience for young patients and can mark them for life. New blood collection accessories are becoming available, and some already have had success.
One such accessory is named Buzzy and is an essential non-pharmacological pain intervention tool for pediatric patients. It is used to distract and soothe the patient during the blood collection procedure. Buzzy uses a patented combination of cold and vibration to replace pain with temperature and movement. Studies have shown that Buzzy activates the brain's natural ability to block pain up to 69% of the time in children.
During blood collection, the device is placed 2-3 cm above the venipuncture area, as seen in the top image. According to Pain Care Labs, the maker of the Buzzy device, studies have actually found improved success using Buzzy rather than vasoconstriction, likely because the warm venous blood is flowing toward Buzzy.
