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Venipuncture Technique Using the Vacutainer® System

 

Drawing Blood with a Needle Holder System

 
Multisample Vacutainer® System Blood Collection
-- General Instructions:
 

blood drop  Open needle package but do not remove needle shield - safety needles should be used!

blood drop  Thread needle onto holder. If drawing sterile sample, use sterile holder/needle combination

blood drop  Select tube or tubes appropriate for the type of sample

blood drop  Tubes that contain additives should be gently tapped to dislodge any additive which may be trapped around the stopper

blood drop  OSHA's recent ban on tube holder reuse dictates use of a NEW tube holder for every patient!

blood drop  Insert tube into holder, then gently push tube so that the stopper is penetrated by the needle

blood drop  Select site for venipuncture by viewing and palpating all available veins of both arms

blood drop  Apply tourniquet.

blood drop Prepare venipuncture site with an appropriate antiseptic.

    YOU MUST NOT PALPATE VENIPUNCTURE SITE AGAIN AFTER CLEANSING!
blood drop  Secure patient's arm in a downward position that is stable but yet comfortable for the patient
 
blood drop  Remove needle shield
 
blood drop  Perform venipuncture
 
blood drop  Push tube onto holder, puncturing diaphragm of stopper
 
blood drop  Remove tourniquet as soon as blood appears in tube. Do not overfill the collection tube
 
blood drop  If no blood flows into tube or ceases to flow before an adequate sample is collected, the following steps are suggested to complete satisfactory collection:
Confirm correct position of needle cannula in vein
If a multiple sample needle is being used, remove the tube and place a new tube into the holder
If the second tube does not draw, remove needle and discard in appropriate disposal device
Repeat procedure from Step 1
 
blood drop  When first tube is adequately filled remove it from holder
 
blood drop  Place succeeding tubes in holder (following correct order of draw), puncturing diaphragm to initiate flow. Tubes without additives are drawn before tubes with additives
 
blood drop  While each successive tube is filling, invert the previous tube containing additives 8-10 times.
    DO NOT SHAKE!
 
blood drop  As soon as blood stops flowing in the last tube, remove needle from vein
 
blood drop  Activate the needle shield's safety feature, and discard
 
blood drop  If conventional needles are used do not recap needle, bend, or shear. Dispose needle straight into proper container!
blood drop  Apply pressure to puncture site with dry, sterile swab, until bleeding stops
blood drop  Apply bandage if desired, except in infants and toddlers
blood drop  Proper precautions should be taken to avoid contact with blood droplets when handling tubes
blood drop  Dispose of any holder that becomes contaminated with blood
 A patient should be offered the option to return to the office on a different day for another try after two failed attempts of finding the vein. Going to the local hospital, a health care facility, or a freestanding reference laboratory where more experienced phlebotomists are drawing blood could also be discussed as an option.
 
Trademark Notice: Vacutainer is a federally and internationally registered trademark owned by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) that is used in connection with a complete system of tubes, needles and needle holders, sharps collectors, and safety devices. Reference: Becton Dickinson Trade Information # 109.