Carilion Clinic Pioneers Needle-Free Blood Draws: A New Standard in Patient Care

In a significant advancement in patient care, Carilion Clinic, a leading not-for-profit healthcare organization in Virginia, has become the first health system in the state and the Southeastern U.S. to offer needle-free in-patient blood draws using the BD® PIVO™ Pro Needle-free Blood Collection Device. This innovative technology, in partnership with BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), is set to redefine the standard of care for patients by reducing multiple needlesticks and enhancing the overall patient experience.

The advanced PIVO™ Pro Technology allows clinicians to use a patient's existing peripheral IV catheter line for blood draws, leading to fewer needlesticks and less pain and anxiety for many patients. It also reduces the risk of needlestick injuries and streamlines clinical workflows, minimizing traditional IV and blood collection complications that result in redraws and potential delays in patient care.1,2

Traditional blood draws by venipuncture are one of the most common hospital procedures, affecting nearly every hospitalized patient daily.3 A recent Harris Poll highlighted that patients often experience unnecessary, failed, and repeat needlesticks in hospitals. In fact, needlesticks are an often-overlooked challenge but can be one of the most traumatic aspects of a patient's hospital stay, with more than half of Americans (51%) reporting some fear of needles. Among those, a top reason is fear of needing multiple needle insertions (31%).4

Patients and clinicians alike are interested in new technology and solutions to reduce needlesticks and improve the standard of care. "During my hospital stay, I dreaded the daily blood draws that left my arms bruised and painful," said a 17-year-old pediatric patient who experienced PIVO™ Pro during Carilion's trial period. "When I was introduced to this device, it was a game-changer. It saved me from the pain and tears of multiple needlesticks. It truly transformed my hospital experience, allowing me to focus on getting better without the added stress of painful blood draws. This innovation gave me hope and comfort during a very challenging time."5

PIVO™ Pro will be available at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and will be rolled out to other Carilion hospitals throughout the year. Learn more about Carilion's commitment to compassionate patient care at www.carilionclinic.org.

As the global leader in vascular access solutions, BD is committed to advancing the standard of care for IV therapy and blood draws for patients and health care providers. The PIVO™ Pro technology is part of the company's vision for a "One-Stick Patient Experience" to help minimize the number of needlesticks for patients by using an existing peripheral IV catheter line to collect a high-quality, reliable blood sample through a singular access point.1 For more information about the BD Peripheral Line Draw Solution, including PIVO™ Pro, visit www.bd.com/PIVO.

In conclusion, Carilion Clinic's adoption of needle-free blood draws using the BD® PIVO™ Pro Needle-free Blood Collection Device is a significant step forward in patient care, offering a more compassionate and efficient approach to a common hospital procedure. This innovation is set to enhance patient satisfaction, improve workflow efficiency, and ultimately redefine the standard of care in the healthcare industry.

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