How do I prepare my child for blood draw?

Blood draw can be a stressful process for most children, and they are likely to express fear and denial.

Studies of children up to 17 years of age have shown that children younger than 7 tend to have the most severe anxiety and fear.

In many cases these reactions are likely to prevent the blood draw and maximise the child’s fear of subsequent blood draws.

Preparing a child for blood draw involves 2 phases.

• The preparation of the child by the parents before the blood draw
• The management of the child during blood draw

Preparation of blood draw by parents

Here are some simple steps to help your child feel comfortable during the blood draw.

• Explain to the child what is going to happen. Tell your child why the test is being done and how it will be done. Use words and terminology appropriate for your child’s age. Reassure your child that you will be there for the whole process
• Be honest but also reassuring. Do not tell your child that blood draw does not hurt. It is better to tell your child that it will probably hurt a little but the pain will go away very quickly.
• Practice deep breathing and other relief techniques. These may include singing songs or counting down from 10.
• Schedule the blood draw at the right time. Try to schedule the test when your child is not tired or very hungry.
• Your child may eat before the blood draw. This may reduce the chance of dizziness and headache. However, in cases where your child needs to fast, it is best to schedule the test in the early morning hours, and offer him or her a snack after the sampling.
• Offer plenty of water in advance. If the test does not involve limiting fluid consumption, you should provide plenty of water. Water helps in the blood draw process. Drinking water significantly increases blood pressure in regular people. The effect of drinking water on blood pressure assists the venus blood draw.
• Bring along his favourite toy. Distraction is a technique that helps during the blood draw procedure, so that the child is not afraid.
• Plan to give a small reward at the end of the blood draw. Offer your child a treat or make a drawing that will delight them.

Management of the child during blood draw.

For infants and toddlers

The importance of the parent’s posture during blood sampling .

• You will need to hold your child during the blood draw.
• The parent’s posture should enforce the child with calmness and security. Studies on children’s anxiety and fear during blood sampling have shown that contact between the child and the parent is important because it reduces anxiety and pain.
• With the guidance of the phlebotomist, we hold the child firmly close to our body, immobilizing the child’s legs and arm that is not being used. Stabilising the child during blood draw is of paramount importance for a quick and effective blood draw.

For older children

• We offer the child the comfort of sitting down so that he or she is not feeling pressured. Once the phlebotomist has informed us that we are ready to start sampling, you must hold your child’s hand and initiate any other contact required so that they feel comfortable and safe.

General rules for all ages

• Talk to your child in a calm voice. During the blood draw it is a good idea to talk to your child in a low voice or sing to him or her
• Distraction. It is good to have distractions in the room that will occupy your child’s mind. This could be his favourite toy, TV with children’s shows (which we provide), etc.

The importance of distraction during blood draw in the child.

The distraction technique is a non-pharmacological method that aims to distract the child during the blood collection, which reduces anxiety and the feeling of pain. Appart from the stress and pain reduction, the procedure gets done in a more timelly maner.

Distraction can be active or passive. Active is defined as a technique in which the child is engaged in an activity such as video games. In the passive version of the technique, children remain quiet and calm while watching TV or listening to music.

Scientific studies show a correlation between the above techniques and pain reduction. In particular, the results are more evident when the above techniques are applied according to the age and psychological state of the child at that particular stage.

An easier and more painless blood draw procedure at StartBio is accomplished using the ‘VeinFinder’ vein detector

In a modern laboratory, with the state of the art equipment, blood draw with the special ‘VeinFinder’ machine becomes even easier.

The special machine thanks to its technology can help visualize the patient’s veins, giving the healthcare professional a guide for a safer and more precise blood draw.

What is the VeinFinder for?

In an easier and more painless blood collection for groups with “difficult” veins such as:

• Children and newborns
• Older people
• People with damaged veins (e.g. after hospitalisation, chemotherapy)
• Obese people

How does it work?

The Health professional after using the tourniquet, “illuminates” the patient’s hand with the special detector, graphically displaying the patient’s veins. The phlebotomist after using the tourniquet, “illuminates” the patient’s hand with the special detector, graphically displaying the patient’s veins.

The procedure isn’t as painfull, is less invasive, and requires minimal time.

Bibliography

Carlson KL et al (2000) Using distraction to reduce reported pain, fear and behavioural distress in children and adolescents: a multisite study. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. 5, 2, 75-85

Murphy, G. (2009). Distraction techniques for venepuncture: a review. Paediatric Care, 21(3), 18-20.

Inan, G., & Inal, S. (2018). The impact of three different distraction techniques on the pain and anxiety levels of children during venipuncture. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 1.

Birnie, K. A., Noel, M., Chambers, C. T., Uman, L. S., & Parker, J. A. (2018). Psychological interventions for needle-related procedural pain and distress in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Cavender, K., Goff, M. D., Hollon, E. C., & Guzzetta, C. E. (2004). Parents’ Positioning and Distracting Children During Venipuncture. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 22(1), 32-56.