For diabetic patients, nurses must obtain a blood sample a minimum of four times a day. When an insulin IV drip is utilized, blood glucose will typically be monitored hourly until it is stable, and usually every two hours after stabilization.(1,2) Even if the patient already has an IV established, each blood sample requires a new stick. It is common for patients to say their time in the hospital makes them feel like a pincushion that gets repeatedly stuck over and over again.

The graphic to the right shows the costs and pain points associated with a diabetic patient in the hospital for five days and receiving five blood draws per day. With a traditional peripheral IV, a patient will have approximately 25 needle sticks just for blood draws over five days.(3)

The goal should be that once venous access is established, all medication and all blood draws needed are accomplished through one peripheral IV catheter. Since we have venous access, shouldn't we be able to get a blood draw without sticking the patient over and over again or using expensive blood draw assist devices? BVAD is the answer.