By Lisa Sall, B.A.
Performing venipuncture on normally developing children
- Children generally have a natural fear of needles and blood
- Physical restraint will usually only make things worse
- Phlebotomist should remain calm: best way to keep others calm is to stay calm yourself
Three Techniques:
- Coaching:
Talking the child through the procedure
- Distraction
Giving the child something else to look at/think about
- Positive Reinforcement
Rewarding the child for a job well done and encouraging the child to repeat the good behavior in the future
Other Techniques:
- Gentle touch
- Soft voice
- Familiar toys/sounds/people
Encourage parents to remain calm, cool, and collected, and to encourage, reinforce, and distract, and remain close by the child (2004).
Los Angeles, CA
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