Use of EMLA cream as a topical anaesthetic before venepuncture procedures in field surveys: A practice that helps XXXX , parents and health professionals.

@entity1 @entity1337 @entity148 @entity158
BACKGROUND: Topical @entity1337 is becoming essential as the number of invasive screening procedures involving @entity1 rises steadily. Little is known about the frequency of these procedures, or about interventions to ease the @entity158 . METHODS: We investigated the use of EMLA cream in 184 school-aged @entity1 in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Another group of 20 @entity1 did not receive any local @entity1337 and was assessed as a control. Anticipatory @entity148 , @entity158 , adverse reactions and ease of procedure were assessed using a subjective visual analogue scale (VAS) @entity158 score generated by the researcher and obtained from each @entity1 immediately after the procedure. RESULTS: The use of EMLA cream resulted in reduced @entity158 and distress. The @entity158 -relieving influence of EMLA was good (91.3% analgesic effect). @entity1 who received EMLA cream reported significantly lower VAS @entity158 scores (p=0.001). @entity158 scores generated by the researcher were also significantly lower in the EMLA group than in the control group (p=0.000). No adverse reactions were observed, and the @entity1 could continue with other research activities during the application time and after the procedure. Parent or caregiver scores were in favour of EMLA cream. CONCLUSION: EMLA cream was safe and effective for alleviating the @entity158 associated with venepuncture in a fieldwork setting. We therefore believe that it merits a place in the routine premedication of @entity1 before phlebotomy and cannulation procedures in clinical settings, research studies and field surveys. Further research is recommended to assess whether EMLA cream can be used for immunisations.
