Venipuncture Technique Using the Vacutainer®

Drawing Blood with a Needle Holder System

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

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

  Select tube or tubes appropriate for the type of sample

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

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

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

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

  Apply tourniquet.

 Prepare venipuncture site with an appropriate antiseptic.

  Secure patient's arm in a downward position that is stable but yet comfortable for the patient

  Remove needle shield

  Perform venipuncture

  Push tube onto holder, puncturing diaphragm of stopper

  Remove tourniquet as soon as blood appears in tube. Do not overfill the collection tube

  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:

1. Confirm correct position of needle cannula in vein
2. If a multiple sample needle is being used, remove the tube and place a new tube into the holder
3. If the second tube does not draw, remove needle and discard in appropriate disposal device
4. Repeat procedure from Step 1

  When first tube is adequately filled remove it from holder

  Place succeeding tubes in holder (following correct order of draw), puncturing diaphragm to initiate flow. Tubes without additives are drawn before tubes with additives

  While each successive tube is filling, invert the previous tube containing additives 8-10 times.
    DO NOT SHAKE!

  As soon as blood stops flowing in the last tube, remove needle from vein

  Activate the needle shield's safety feature, and discard

  If conventional needles are used do not recap needle, bend, or shear. Dispose needle straight into proper container!

  Apply pressure to puncture site with dry, sterile swab, until bleeding stops

  Apply bandage if desired, except in infants and toddlers

  Proper precautions should be taken to avoid contact with blood droplets when handling tubes

  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.

 

 

Those individual who have received vocational training which included venipuncture techniques, documentation, charting and infection control, or those who are currently employed in a phlebotomy position with at least two years of experience should seek certification. Certification provides industry recognized credentials and opens doors that otherwise may remain closed.

Click here: Receive AMT's free phlebotomy certification info!