Evaluation of an arterial blood sampling device and its function in accelerating and facilitating blood sampling

Background: Arterial blood sampling is among the basic standards in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to examine an inventive sampling device in facilitating arterial blood sampling in comparison to the conventional method using an insulin syringe. Methods and materials: This randomized interventional clinical trial was performed on 100 patients admitted to Qaem and Imam Reza Hospitals in Mashhad in 2016 for whom two arterial blood gas (ABG) samples were indicated. The patients were randomly selected by the visiting operator on a daily basis. The operator visited the hospital on certain days and took two samples from the selected patients. Results: The patients' mean age was 45.31±16.15 years. In the insulin syringe group, venous blood gas sampling was in 24% and arterial sample in 76%. In the designed device group, same figures were 12.1% and 87.9%, respectively. Sampling score (p=0.01), unsuccessful attempts with and without needle removal from the skin (p=0.01), and need for vertical and horizontal needle displacement for sampling (p=0.01) were significantly differed between the two groups. Localized swelling score and its size, localized bruising, palpable arterial spasm and the spasm duration was significantly less for the inventive device (p<0.05). Satisfaction score of patients and operator were significantly higher in the device group (p=0.01). Conclusion: The study device had desirable function in facilitating and accelerating arterial blood sampling. Its application can be further approved by future studies. K e y w o r ds: Arterial blood sampling, Facilitated sampling, Accelerated sampling, Intensive Care Unit