Venipuncture Technique Using the Vacutainer® System

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:

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

 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

The Vacutainer® System

Exposure Prevention

 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.