Inserting an IV needle into a child's hand is a difficult task because children's veins are thin and flexible. Often, several attempts are needed before the needle is in place. This regularly causes stress and tears. What if a colourful and smart sleeve could reduce anxiety?
It sounds almost too good to be true – and yet that is exactly what the ACHILLES project aims to achieve. ‘We are investigating whether we can improve infusion therapy for children and make it more child-friendly,’ says Hellen van Rees, principal investigator at Saxion's Sustainable & Functional Textiles research group. With her background in design, she brings a fresh perspective to this medical problem. ‘I am the project leader and therefore closely involved in all aspects of the project. My design background helps me to collaborate with people from various disciplines,’ she says.
A question from practice
Nurses and doctors in the paediatric ward saw how often an IV line shifts after insertion, how checks take time and how stressful the process is for children and parents. ACHILLES is the answer to this: a soft sleeve in which technology supports care.
But before you can improve something, you need to know exactly where things go wrong. The research team therefore started with thorough observations at the Medisch Spectrum Twente and Deventer Hospital. They looked at current practices, noted times and held discussions with nurses, doctors, parents and children.
More information
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