PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A Davis
AU  - R Dobson
AU  - S Kaninia
AU  - G Giovannoni
AU  - K Schmierer
TI  - Atraumatic needles for lumbar puncture: why haven't neurologists changed?
AID  - 10.1136/practneurol-2014-001055
DP  - 2016 Feb 01
TA  - Practical Neurology
PG  - 18--22
VI  - 16
IP  - 1
4099  - http://pn.bmj.com/content/16/1/18.short
4100  - http://pn.bmj.com/content/16/1/18.full
SO  - Pract Neurol2016 Feb 01; 16
AB  - Diagnostic lumbar puncture is a key procedure in neurology; however, it is commonly complicated by post-lumbar puncture headache. Atraumatic needle systems can dramatically reduce the incidence of this iatrogenic complication. However, only a minority of neurologists use such needles. In this paper, we discuss possible reasons why neurologists have not switched to new technology, looking more at diffusion of innovation rather than lack of evidence. We suggest ways to overcome this failure to adopt change, ranging from local interventions to patient empowerment.