Methods to reduce pain of Arterio-venous fistula needles in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Pain of Arterio-venous fistula needles in patients undergoing hemodialysis caused an
unpleasant and disturbing feeling which reduces the patient’s quality of life and brings irreparable damage to economy of the society. Since pain-management encompasses the field of all health specialists, especially nurses, and is regarded as a part of comprehensive nursing, this study addressed pain reduction methods at the insertion site of arteriovenous fistula needle in hemodialysis patients.

The present article is a review article that used online resources including
(Elsevier, Pupmed, Google scholar, Magiran, Sciences direct), and library with keyword (pain, Dialysis, Arteriovenous, Fistula) between 2005 to 2015 has been developed.

For soothing pain during needle insertion, medical and traditional techniques, or pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods can be used, in which the medical and traditional therapies are mostly employed. Lidocaine spray, prilocaine cream, EMLA cream and piroxicam ointment are among pharmacological methods. Skin stimulation, cryotherapy, lavender inhalation, rhythmic breathing, warm footbath, electrical skin stimulation, and planned distraction are among non-pharmacological pain reduction techniques. Easiness and simplicity of use, cost-effectiveness, safety, quickness, non-aggressiveness, and nursing friendly are some advantages of non-pharmacological methods. Today, researchers investigate novel method for better pain-management.

Paying attention to pain in hemodialysis is very important for nurses in caring such patients. Regarding the necessity of making nurses familiar with pain reduction methods, the application of such techniques is recommended for reducing needle insertion induced pain in hemodialysis patients.