Comparison of a new screw-tipped intraosseous needle versus a standard bone marrow aspiration needle for infusion

The purpose of this study is to compare the speed and ease of establishing intraosseous infusion using a standard bone marrow needle (SBMN; $8) and a new screw-tipped intraosseous needle (Sur-Fast; $42). The study is an experimental design. A total of 42 medical students, without prior IO experience, were recruited as study subjects. Subjects were randomized to perform the IO procedures in one of two models: (1) turkey femur or (2) pork ribs. Each subject performed an initial trial using both IO needles without practice (inexperienced) and a second trial using both IO needles after practice (experienced attempt), such that in total, each subject completed four attempts (two with each needle type). IO placement times were measured, and placement difficulty scores were measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). The averaged elapsed time to successful IO completion was significantly shorter for the SBMN in the initial “inexperienced” attempt (33 versus 54 seconds, P = .019), but there was no significant difference in the postpractice “experienced” attempt. VAS difficulty scores were lower (easier) for the SBMN for both inexperienced and experienced trials. Success rates were significantly higher for the Sur-Fast needle during the experienced attempt (95% versus 79%, P< .05), but there was no significant difference in success rates during the inexperienced attempt. The Sur-Fast screw-tipped intraosseous needle does not show superiority over the SBMN in this intraosseous model, therefore its higher cost is difficult to justify based on this study.