As emergency departments become crowded with COVID-19 patients, and staff shortages continue to be a challenge, Buzzy can be a huge time-saving advantage over topical anesthetics. Children’s Healthcare of Philadelphia found Buzzy to relieve pain as well as LMX for kids age 4-19 (average age of 9), but venous access took only 3 minutes with Buzzy compared to 40.5 with LMX. If 100 patients in your unit need labs and you’re used to topical anesthetics, this equates to a 62.5 hours per day time savings! That’s like 6 extra people to help per day.
For children under age 6, where ice may be uncomfortable, EMLA worked slightly better, but took over an hour where Buzzy’s “delay of action is practically zero.”
Pro Tip: let children who find the ice uncomfortable hold it in their hands. One recent study in adults found vibration gives over 90% of the Buzzy’s numbing when used alone for IV access (ice is still the way to go for injections though).
Disinfecting Options
Buzzy should be cleaned with the same wipes being used to clean counters, surfaces, doorknobs and stethoscopes. Alcohol swabs, chlorhexadine, or other disinfecting wipes are all appropriate.
To further reduce concerns, use Buzzy Healthcare Grade Ice Wings or use Personal Use Soft-Sided Ice Wings and Infection Control Bags
