American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Am. J. Crit. Care
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Editorial Historical Article
My first 50 years of critical care (1956-2006).
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Except for intravenous therapy, arterial access is the most common invasive procedure performed on critically ill patients. Arterial puncture is a source of pain and discomfort. Intradermal injection of lidocaine around the puncture site decreases the incidence and severity of localized pain when used before arterial puncture. ⋯ Before a plan for behavior modification or policy change is recommended for use of local anesthesia to decrease pain associated with arterial puncture, further research must be done to determine nurses' perceptions of use, actual practice, and currently established local policies.