In 2020, Humber River Hospital (Humber) implemented the use of the AccuVein AV500 in our Cancer Care Clinic - a visualization technology that illuminates the veins beneath the patient's skin, improving the ability for healthcare professionals to access their patient's veins on the first attempt.

AccuVein is a vein finder technology used to enhance the visibility of veins by displaying a map of the vasculature on the skin's surface. The device uses infrared light that, once on the skin, is absorbed by the blood in the veins. This causes the veins to appear as dark lines on the skin, making them easier to locate for various procedures such as blood draws and IV insertion, among others. This technology is non-invasive, as it does not require any injections or contrast agents, resulting in reduced patient anxiety and discomfort during venous access procedures. The device is handheld, compact and portable, making it easy to use in a variety of settings.

When it comes to inserting IV's or taking blood samples for patients in our Cancer Care Program, our nurses and technicians are extra careful to prevent damage to their already weakened vascular systems.

“We love having the vein finder in the Clinic," says Navpreet Heer, a Registered Nurse in Humber's Cancer Care Clinic (pictured left). “Some of our patients have harder-to-access veins, and the vein finder improves our ability to insert IVs on the first attempt. We are less likely to need to escalate to a second nurse or other staff members. As you can imagine, that goes a long way in creating a comfortable environment for our patients and helping us build trust."

The AccuVein AV500 works on all skin tones and body types, and can be used on various parts of the body, including the arms, hands, feet, and legs. Our teams at Humber are now equipped with the device both in the Cancer Care Clinic and on 13 West, our inpatient unit for cancer patients. 

“The vein finder is especially helpful when we are inserting IVs for patients with darker skin, large arms, or those who have gone through chemotherapy which impacts your veins," says Navpreet. “Some of our patients who have fear around needles even ask for it. It is one of the many things we can do to help put our patients at ease."

AccuVein AV500's technology has shown to reduce patient discomfort and minimize the risk of complications. As more than 90 percent of patients undergo IV therapy at some point during their hospital visit, AccuVein is a simple, non-invasive solution that can increase the success rate of first-attempt insertions and vein assessment proficiency. It aligns with Humber's goal to achieve excellence in patient care by being a high reliability hospital.

The AccuVein AV500 was purchased through donor support.

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