Introduction: Neuropathic pain (NP) arises as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system. Antidepressants (ADs) are recommended for the pharmacological treatment of NP. However, current guidelines do not specify how long ADs may be effective in NP treatment if the patient is benefiting from the therapy.Material and methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study aiming to analyze the effectiveness of ADs in the treatment of NP by assessing the relationship between AD usage, the length of AD treatment and the intensity of pain in this group patients. Based on their pain intensity and length of treatment, the patients were divided into: three groups (NRS 0–3, NRS 4–6 and NRS ≥ 7), and six groups (< 1 month, 1–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months, 1–2 years, 2–5 years, and > 5 years), respectively.Results: The study was conducted on a database from 421 patients, 231 (54.86%) of whom took antidepressants. We found that AD treatment significantly reduces the likelihood of being in the NRS 7–10 group compared to the NRS 0–3 group (OR = 0.611, 95% CI: 0.37–1.0, P = 0.05), and this reduction was observed up to 24 months of treatment (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22–0.75, P < 0.004).Conclusions: Considering the limitations of the study, the use of ADs in NP therapy may have a significant impact on reducing the occurrence of severe pain up to 24 months of therapy and should be included in pharmacotherapy in this group of patients.

Ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that employs high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal bodily structures. In the field of nursing, ultrasound serves as a valuable instrument for swiftly and non-invasively evaluating precise anatomical structures, such as venous...

Background: Peripheral venous cannulation is one of the most common clinical procedures, yet it often causes significant pain, anxiety, and discomfort for patients. While pharmacological methods exist, non-pharmacological interventions offer a low-cost, low-risk alternative that eliminates waiting times for anesthetic onset. The aim of this review is to synthesize the various nonpharmacological interventions for procedural pain reduction during PIVC in adults, covering interventions ranging from psychological distraction to advanced procedural support technologies. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework. Databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies involving adult patients undergoing PIVC. Results: Thirty studies (29 randomized controlled trials and one experimental study) were included in the final analysis. The interventions were categorized into three primary groups: distraction techniques, physical methods, and behavioral techniques. The application of virtual reality (VR), optical illusion cards, and music therapy significantly reduced pain scores and enhanced patient satisfaction. Similarly, physical methods, such as thermomechanical stimulation (e.g., the Buzzy^® device), local heat application, and vibration, were found to be effective in lowering pain intensity compared to standard care. Behavioral techniques, including the “cough trick,” diaphragmatic breathing, and the Valsalva maneuver, consistently demonstrated efficacy in reducing both procedural pain and anxiety. Notably, while most interventions successfully reduced pain, certain methods—such as near-infrared (NIR) vein visualization—improved procedural success rates without significantly altering the subjective perception of pain. Conclusions: Findings from this review suggest that non-pharmacological interventions may serve as effective, safe, and feasible adjuncts for pain management during peripheral venous cannulation. Techniques such as the cough trick and vibration-based devices are particularly recommended due to their ease of integration into routine nursing practice, potentially improving patient comfort and clinical outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Peripheral venous cannulation is one of the most frequently performed invasive procedures in adult patients and is often associated with procedural pain. Despite the availability of various pain-reduction strategies, analgesia during cannulation is not consistently implemented in routine clinical practice. The aim of this review was to identify local pharmacological interventions recommended for reducing procedural pain during peripheral venous cannulation, to assess their clinical effectiveness, and to determine which interventions may be feasibly incorporated into everyday clinical practice. Methods: A literature review was conducted including randomized controlled trials, prospective studies, and meta-analyses involving adult patients undergoing peripheral venous cannulation. Outcomes of interest included procedural pain intensity, clinical effectiveness of pharmacological interventions, and their impact on additional outcomes such as patient satisfaction, anxiety, and safety. Results: Peripheral venous cannulation was most commonly associated with moderate-intensity pain. The use of local pharmacological interventions—particularly vapocoolant sprays and topical local anesthetics in cream or patch form—resulted in a significant reduction in pain intensity compared with placebo or no intervention. Several studies also reported improved patient satisfaction and a favorable safety profile of the analyzed interventions. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates that local pharmacological interventions are effective and safe in reducing pain associated with peripheral venous cannulation and may represent a valuable component of patient-centered clinical care. In addition to summarizing clinical effectiveness, this review highlights practical and organizational factors influencing the implementation of pharmacological pain-reducing interventions in routine nursing practice.

Background: Intravenous infusion is a key aspect of therapy in hospitalised patients. Choosing the right vascular catheter is important to minimise damage to the patient’s tissues, improve the quality of medical care and reduce costs associated with treatment complications. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of midline catheters as a strategic component of intravenous infusions in a Polish hospital. Material and methods: The study material consists of medical records of patients with midline catheters at Czerniakowski Hospital in Warsaw over the period from 5th October 2021 to 19th May 2023. An analysis of 341 infusion observation charts was performed, excluding illegible and incomplete data. In this article, all of the catheters we used were inserted under ultrasound guidance. Results: The type of vein chosen has no significant effect on the catheter dwell time ( p = 0.984). Catheter length correlates with catheter dwell time ( r = 0.133; p = 0.016). Catheters with a length of 15 cm have the longest dwell time, while those with a length of 20 cm have the shortest. Completion of therapy or patient death was the most common reason for catheter removal (46.9%). Catheter size had an impact on catheter dwell time ( p = 0.034). The text presents observations regarding the relationship between catheter diameter and total aspiration time, based on all days during which blood was aspirated through the catheter. The statistical test results ( H = 118.268; p < 0.001) indicate a significant impact of catheter diameter size on total aspiration time. Conclusions: Midline catheters are an effective solution for patients with difficult vascular access, increase the possibility of intravenous therapy. Moreover, they improve patient comfort and reduce the number of multiple cannulations. Developing vascular access teams can better control infusion management and care.

Aim. The aim of this study is to assess nurses’ opinions on the usability, effectiveness, and benefits of midline catheters (MC) in nursing practice. Additionally, the study identifies nurses’ subjective knowledge levels and training needs related to these catheters. Material and methods. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted from 15th October to 15th November 2023, involving 127 nurses from various departments. Data were collected through an anonymous survey with 13 questions about opinions on MC, subjective knowledge, and sociodemographic metrics. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results. Most nurses had experience with patients using midline catheters, and the average rating of opinions on MC was 4.44 on a Likert scale (1-5). The average subjective knowledge about MC was 4.26. A total of 88% of respondents desired future training on MC, and 72% wanted to learn how to insert these catheters. Nurses who attended training rated their preparedness to handle MCs higher. Conclusions. Midline catheters are well-regarded by nurses and integral to their practice. Regular training and support are essential for effectively implementing new medical technologies. Investing in medical staff education is crucial for improving healthcare quality and patient safety.