Injections are a fundamental part of healthcare, from administering vaccines and medications to drawing blood. However, for many patients, the discomfort associated with needles can lead to anxiety, and in some cases, even avoidance of necessary treatments. Among the many factors contributing to injection pain, the size and type of needle used play a significant role. By understanding the relationship between needle gauge and length with patient comfort, healthcare providers can help minimize injection pain. Here, we will delve into findings from recent research and explore needle types designed for smoother, safer, and more comfortable injections.
Needle size is determined by gauge (thickness) and length. The gauge refers to the thickness of the needle—the higher the gauge number, the thinner the needle. Thinner needles are associated with reduced pain, particularly for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections commonly used in vaccinations, insulin therapy, and certain medications.
The length of the needle also plays a role in injection comfort. Choosing an overly long needle for a subcutaneous injection, for instance, can lead to unnecessary tissue trauma and heightened discomfort. By selecting the right gauge and length, clinicians can ensure the injection reaches the correct tissue without exceeding necessary depth, helping to reduce pain and tissue damage.
Research examining needle size and injection pain has provided valuable insights, especially regarding the comfort levels associated with different needle gauges and designs. Key findings include:
Studies show that using higher-gauge needles (thinner needles) results in less injection pain. For instance, patients receiving injections with 25- or 27-gauge needles report lower pain levels than those receiving injections with thicker 21- or 23-gauge needles.
The correct needle length minimizes unnecessary tissue penetration, reducing both pain and injury risk. For intramuscular injections, longer needles are often necessary, but for subcutaneous injections, shorter lengths are typically used.
Needles with specific design features, such as angled or siliconized bevels, improve injection comfort. These designs contribute to smoother insertion, reduced tissue trauma, and an overall decrease in pain.
RELI® Blunt Fill Needles are designed for safe vial preparation and provide a smart solution for filling syringes without the risk of a needle stick. These needles come with an angled bevel that prevents coring of the vial stopper and ensures a rapid, smooth flow, making them ideal for drawing viscous medications. With a 1.5” needle length, they efficiently penetrate various septum barriers without using sharp tips, thereby reducing the risk of needle-stick injuries for healthcare providers. Using these blunt needles helps prevent accidental injuries during preparation, ensuring a safer environment for both patients and staff.
When it comes to actual injection, RELI® Conventional Hypodermic Needles offer a great balance between functionality and patient comfort. These needles are siliconized with a three-facet bevel, which ensures smooth, gentle insertion, reducing discomfort for patients. Additionally, they are available in both regular and thin wall options, enhancing flow rates and durability for several types of injections. With color-coded hubs for easy gauge identification, RELI® hypodermic needles make selecting the right gauge straightforward, which can further enhance the patient experience.
For those situations where additional safety is paramount, RELI® Safety Hypodermic Needles combine safety and comfort with a design that reduces accidental needle-stick injuries. These needles feature a tactile, one-handed safety shield activation, making them easy to use for both experienced and novice clinicians. The unique bevel orientation indicates that when the safety shield is up, the needle bevel is also up, providing a smoother, less traumatic insertion experience.
A study by Gill et al. examined the impact of needle gauge and design on injection pain across various patient groups. Their findings highlighted that thinner needles, such as those with a 25- or 27-gauge, consistently result in lower pain scores among patients compared to thicker needles like 21- or 23-gauge. They also noted that certain needle designs, such as hypodermic needles or those with a siliconized bevel, reduced friction upon insertion, further minimizing discomfort. These insights underscore the importance of selecting an appropriate needle type to improve patient comfort and outcomes, especially for frequent injections.
Another study by Wago et. al., investigated the impact of needle gauge on pain during lidocaine injections and found that thinner needles, such as a 27-gauge, were perceived as less painful compared to thicker options. In the study involving 36 healthy volunteers, each participant received three lidocaine injections using 21-, 23-, and 27-gauge needles, then rated the pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and verbally identified the least and most painful injection. Most participants reported the 27-gauge needle as the least painful, with 21 out of 36 favoring it over the thicker (23-gauge and 21-gauge) options. These findings highlight that thinner needles may help reduce patient discomfort during local anesthetic injections.
Selecting the best needle size and type is crucial to reducing injection pain, especially in settings where frequent injections are required. RELI® offers a variety of options that cater to specific needs: blunt fill needles for safe medication preparation, conventional hypodermic needles for smooth, reliable insertion, and safety hypodermic needles for additional protection against needle sticks. Each type is crafted to enhance patient comfort and ensure safety, helping healthcare providers minimize discomfort for patients.
The choice of needle matters not only for the comfort of the patient but also for the safety and ease of use for the clinician. Thoughtful selection of needle gauge, length, and design can transform the injection experience, leading to better patient cooperation and overall satisfaction with their care. As medical technology advances, so do needle designs, enabling healthcare providers to deliver treatment that prioritizes both comfort and effectiveness.
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Our needles and syringes are made with effective safety mechanisms to help provide optimal sharps protection and minimize the risk of accidental needle stick injury. All needles are manufactured to strict quality standards using computerized grinding and 100% visual camera inspection to promote sharp, consistent, and high-quality needles in FDA-inspected ISO 13485 certified facilities which utilize good manufacturing practices per USFDA standards.
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1. Gill HS, Prausnitz MR. Does needle size matter? J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2007 Sep;1(5):725-9. doi: 10.1177/193229680700100517. PMID: 19885141; PMCID: PMC2769648.
2. Wågø KJ, Skarsvåg TI, Lundbom JS, Tangen LF, Ballo S, Hjelseng T, Finsen V. The importance of needle gauge for pain during injection of lidocaine. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2016;50(2):115-8. doi: 10.3109/2000656X.2015.1111223. Epub 2015 Nov 23. PMID: 26595751.