Auxiliary purchases vein illuminator

The St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary is at it again, having recently provided money to the hospital to aid in the purchase of a vein illuminator.  

The Christie Vein Viewer Flex Venoscope is the newest generation of vein illuminator on the market.  The technology is cutting-edge.

Roger Riddle, Laboratory Department manager is thrilled about the purchase.  

“This machine uses reflected infrared technology to show the difference in temperature between veins full of blood and tissue that is cooler.  This provides the staff at St. John’s, and their patients, several advantages.”

What are those advantages?  

First of all, the venoscope will reduce the number of repeat needle sticks caused by small veins, deep veins, arthrosclerosis, or any of the various reasons vein access cannot be obtained easily, or at all.  

Secondly, the equipment is being used all over the hospital, from the Emergency Department and the Operating Room, to the lab and the Acute-Care floor.  Anywhere an IV is used or blood collection is needed, the venoscope can be utilized.

Riddle is most excited about the reassurance this machine will provide to the patients and staff at SJLH.  

“The venoscope will make our patients and staff more comfortable during an invasive procedure.  It certainly is a calming feeling for our staff to be able to see what you are supposed to be putting a needle into, especially when the procedure is being done on a new born child or a young person that is critically injured,” Riddle said.

“This machine will help to ease the stress of multiple sticks on the patient side, and will also relieve the frustration and anxiety of the staff.  

“Nobody wants to miss a patient’s vein and have to attempt a second stick.  This new technology will certainly help to alleviate that situation making our patient’s stay more comfortable,” he said.

Riddle concluded by giving his heartfelt thanks to the auxiliary.  

“Thanks so much to the SJHL Auxiliary for all you do for us here at St. John’s.  Keeping us on the cutting edge of treatment and technology is something this wonderful group of people helps us with here at the hospital, and it is a great service to our community.  We can’t thank you enough.”