RMV->) Re: "10 Anesthesia Technologies: Are They Right for You?" (September, page 42). The nurses at my facility, Littleton Day Surgery Center, in Littleton, Colo., attended an in-service and practice session held by a company selling the jet injectors. We are an ambulatory surgery center and start approximately 200 IVs per month on pediatric, adult and geriatric patients. However, upon review, we have chosen not to use this product because of the following reasons:

• the expense was greater than the risk of our history of IV site infections (none in more than five years!)
• the noise of the injectors was very loud and disturbing;
• the infiltrated site was numb, but the actual injection was still mildly painful;
• many of our patients have fragile skin and the impact of the injectors seemed too powerful and potentially damaging to the tissue; and
• the nurses were not comfortable using a device that does not allow user control (the amount of force/pressure for the injection, for example).

The conclusion was that it's a great idea - but too invasive. Thanks for the article!

Cynthia A. Burciaga, RN, BSN
Director of Nursing and Perioperative Services
Littleton Day Surgery Center
Littleton, Colo.
writeMail("cab21590@aol.com")