A routine blood draw is the most common invasive procedure, with over 2.7 million occurrences/day. Statistically, there is a 20% chance that a phlebotomist will miss a patient’s vein on their first attempt. Unsurprisingly, routine blood draws have the lowest patient satisfaction scores according to the American Hospital Association. Frequently, most blame the Healthcare Worker for his or her error in judgement. The reality is, phlebotomy chairs are outdated and do not provide a sufficient means to stabilize a patient’s limb during a routine blood draw. An unstable limb leads to patient re-sticking, accidental needlesticks, patient discomfort, and ergonomic injury to the healthcare worker. As a result there is a significant cost, safety and productivity burden placed on healthcare providers.
The VeniSTAT‘s intuitive design offers unlimited flexibility with few adjustments to position the patient’s limb in such a way that is ideal for vein access. Key benefits include increased success at vein access, increased protection from accidental needlesticks, decreased ergonomic related injury to the healthcare worker, and increased patient comfort and confidence. We had the chance to ask VeniSTAT co-founder Mike Di Lauro a few quick questions about being an entrepreneur.
CONNECT: What’s the best business advice you received from the Springboard program?
Mike Di Lauro: The most import thing a pre-revenue entrepreneur can focus in on is customer validation. The more validation one can gather the stronger position the entrepreneur will have moving forward with potential investors. Customer validation not only helps iterate the product but it proves that customers will buy. Without that proof, potential investors will stomp all over you.
CONNECT: What’s your favorite business book or website?
Mike Di Lauro: Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps To A Successful Startup
CONNECT: When are you the happiest?
Mike Di Lauro: On a hike with my wife and my dog and a cup of coffee.
Learn more about VeniSTAT here.