Pain during insertion of peripheral intravenous catheters with and without intradermal lidocaine

Phase 1 of this study evaluated the perception of pain in 50 patients undergoing peripheral venous catheter insertion without the use of a local anesthetic. Phase 2 evaluated perceived pain in 50 patients who received intradermal lidocaine before the i.v. catheter was inserted. The researchers found that lidocaine injected intradermally before placement of an i.v. catheter resulted in significantly lower self-reported pain perceptions (p < 0.01). No additional time (determined in intervals of 15 minutes) was required for the study group. Based on these findings, the hospital policy was modified so that intradermal lidocaine would be offered to all patients requiring peripherally inserted i.v. catheters.