Table of Contents
How is a butterfly needle used? A medical professional will use a butterfly needle to draw your blood or to try and access a vein to give intravenous (IV) medications. Alternatively, they may use an intravenous catheter. It has a retractable needle that’s inside a protective sheath.
Why should butterfly needles be avoided?
Butterflies have the highest rate of accidental needle sticks. If done incorrectly, there is an increased potential for a need for a second draw. This can cause discomfort and irritability among patients. In addition, if the needle is not removed carefully, the vein is at risk for damage.
What type of issues can arise from using a butterfly needle?
Among the most commonly cited concerns about butterfly needle usage is that percutaneous needle exposures, and the risk of infectious disease transmission associated with accidental needle sticks in healthcare workers, could be increased with the use of butterfly devices.
What is the smallest needle to draw blood?
The smallest gauge, 25, is used primarily with pediatric patients. 1 The short needle length allows the phlebotomist to insert it at a shallow angle that can increase the ease of use.
Does butterfly needle hurt less?
Since butterfly needles are often less painful than straight needles, you may encounter patients who specifically ask you to use a butterfly needle. What’s important is that you use the proper gauge to get the job done effectively, quickly, and, most importantly, as pain-free as possible.
What size needle is used for phlebotomy?
21-gauge needles are the most commonly used for venipuncture, while 16-gauge needles are commonly used for blood donation, as they are thick enough to allow red blood cells to pass through the needle without being broken; In addition, the thicker caliber allows more blood to be collected or delivered in a shorter Mar 22, 2019.
Why do phlebotomist use butterfly needles?
Butterfly needles are often used when a person is giving blood, such as for a blood bank. The needle has flexible tubing attached to the end that makes it easy to connect to other tubing to collect blood.
Why can’t you draw blood from an IV?
Blood that is drawn from a vein that has an intravenous (IV) line may be diluted by the IV fluid. This can ultimately affect the accuracy of the blood test results. Therefore, an arm containing an IV should not be used to draw blood specimens if it can be avoided.
Can you use a vacutainer on a PICC line?
The vacutainer system of collecting blood samples CAN be used with PICC lines. The procedure for blood sampling from a PICC will be described using ANTT.
How do you insert a butterfly needle?
Guidelines: To hold the needle, grasp the plastic “wings” between your thumb and first finger. Hold the needle with the hole (the bevel) facing up and the sharp point down. Always enter the vein with the needle pointing toward the heart. Pierce the skin first at a 45 degree angle. Enter the vein with a quick sure stick.
Do butterfly needles cause hemolysis?
Butterfly needles themselves do not cause hemolysis. In some cases, they may reduce the risk of blood cell damage. For example, butterfly needle phlebotomy reduces the rate of hemolysis by more than half in comparison to IV catheter phlebotomy.
Can a butterfly needle be reused?
Butterfly needles cannot be reused, due to safety and to prevent risk of infection.
What is the correct order of draw when using a butterfly?
A winged blood collection device (butterfly) can be used for collecting a specimen as well. If it is used for coagulation studies, a waste tube must be drawn first. The waste tube is drawn first to remove the air in the tubing of the winged collection device.
What is a vacutainer needle?
The BD Vacutainer® Eclipse™ blood collection needle is a safety-engineered, multisample blood collection needle that offers a simple, effective way to collect blood while reducing the possibility of needlestick injuries.
How much does a butterfly needle cost?
“Oh, the butterfly needles cost $1. These big needles are only 16 cents,” he replied. As a former middle-linebacker I couldn’t allow myself to play the wimp so I obliged and stuck out my arm.
What is the most common phlebotomy site in adults?
The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).
What is the recommended needle length for a syringe blood draw?
What is the recommended needle length for a syringe blood draw? Why would this be the preferred length? 1-1.5 inch needle length; it is long enough to get inside & draw blood but short enough not to damage any cells.
What type of needles are used to draw blood?
21 Gauge Needles 21g needles are the most common gauge of needles used for routine blood draws and venipuncture. The gauge is small enough in which it does not cause any significant pain or discomfort during use. For most patients, their veins are of a size and stability that is best suited for the 21g needle.
What is a 23G needle used for?
23G hypodermic needles and steel adapters are commonly used with tubings to inject or extract liquid samples. They are described by gauge numbers indicating outer diameters (OD).
Which vein lies close to the brachial artery?
Which vein lies close to the brachial artery? Basilic vein.
Can you take blood from a Portacath?
What can a portacath be used for? As well as being used to give medication and fluids directly into the blood stream, portacaths can also be used to take blood samples. Sometimes blood samples may still need to be taken from a vein.
Can you pull Labs from an IV?
A. Blood samples should NOT be drawn during IV starts or from established IV catheters except for patients on thrombolytics (to reduce number of sticks), or in an emergency. B. Peripheral lab samples should be obtained using a straight needle and either the Vacutainer or syringe method.
Can you draw blood from the same arm as PICC line is in?
Q: In a patient with an IV catheter, you may draw from the same arm that has the IV catheter if . . . You may only draw above the IV. You can draw below the IV with a tourniquet between the IV site and the draw site. Web: mayocliniclabs.com International: +1 855-379-3115 Values are valid only on day of printing.
