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Painless Blood Test Device Transforms Patient Experience
26 Jun
Summary
- New device uses vacuum to painlessly extract blood.
- Pilot shows significant positive impact on patients with learning disabilities.
- Technology developed at Morecambe Bay Hospital NHS Trust.
A new blood collection device, known as TAP (Touch Activated Phlebotomy), is revolutionizing the patient experience by eliminating the pain and trauma of needle sticks. This innovative technology, pioneered at Morecambe Bay Hospital NHS Trust, uses a vacuum to draw blood from superficial capillaries, proving particularly beneficial for patients with learning disabilities.
For 16-year-old Abi, who has Down syndrome and autism, traditional blood tests were a source of extreme distress. Her mother, Heather, described the ordeal as 'horrible' and 'traumatic'. However, the TAP device has turned these necessary three-to-six-month monitoring tests into a manageable, even positive, experience, with Abi declaring that 'TAP bloods is fun!'.
Practice Nurse Lizzie Holmes, who works at Lancaster Medical Practice where Abi now attends, noted the significant change in patient outlook. Previously, blood tests were stressful for patients, carers, and staff alike. Now, she sees many patients leave with smiles rather than tears, fundamentally altering how blood collection is handled for vulnerable individuals.
Dr. Karen Perkins, the principal clinical scientist at Morecambe Bay Trust who spearheaded the research, discovered the transdermal sampling capillary devices online. After confirming capillary blood yields reliable results comparable to venous blood, the trust piloted the technology. The success has attracted national attention from charities and NHS England, with aspirations for a nationwide rollout.
