Bedside Manners Matter During Blood Draws

(Inside Science) -- Blood draws are often a source of anxiety for patients and can be a big part of the pain experienced. Researchers analyzed responses from 4,740 adults who were asked about pain management during their hospital stays for a variety of illnesses and surgeries. Patients were 390% more likely to say their pain was well controlled when the person taking their blood was courteous, according to a study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2019, the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, in Orlando, Florida. It turns out the experience of pain is significantly affected by the attitude of the people treating patients.