Capillary blood sampling: the pain of single-use lancing devices.
Six disposable automatic lancing devices were examined in 50 healthy adult volunteers with regard to pain intensity, blood volume and user safety. Devices with a trigger-linked lancet movement were significantly more painful than those with a preset lancet speed. Residual pain was more frequent after the use of devices with a blade compared to devices with a needle. Only half of the devices reliably produced sufficient blood volumes (> 50 microl). Two of the devices could accidentally be re-used and constitute a hazard for patient and personnel. It is concluded that some of the disposable automatic lancing devices are safe and reliable but none of them causes minimal pain.
Fruhstorfer
H
H
Institute of Physiology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002196:Capillaries; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement