Effect of Including Synera® in Discussions on Dialysis Access Conversion in Patients With Needle Phobias

"The enhanced intervention will include the standard intervention, with two enhancements:~* The video will include a segment with a patient using and discussing the analgesic effects of the Synera patch~* Before the intervention, a nurse will explain how Synera works and demonstrate its efficacy by having the patient apply it to the non-dominant forearm and leave it in place for 30 minutes, during the intervention. The patient will then be given the opportunity to gently poke 3 times an area of the forearm at least 3 inches from where the patch was applied, and then poke 3 times the center of the area where the patch was applied. The patient may repeat this process up to 3 times. The patient will be asked if he or she can feel the difference in sensitivity."

"The standard intervention will include the following components:~1. Educational material and discussion with the social worker about the benefits of AVF/AVG over catheter.~2. Basic training on relaxation breathing~3. Brief video of a patient overcoming needle phobia~4. Exposure to a cannulation needle while practicing relaxation breathing, ending in the patients physically holding the needle"