Blood Tests - Buttefly Needles

[copperlegend]

Anytime I've had blood taken I do the same. I've only ever heard "oh wow your veins are teeny!" or "wow, you were right, your veins do NOT like to get poked!" or something like that. They've never given me attitude or been snarky.

I'm sure my usual "oh WOW you made that look so easy and painless, much better than that one horrible time, thank you so much!" doesn't hurt either. My mom's a retired nurse, and I've learned throughout the years that it doesn't hurt to lay on the sweetness real thick.

[lo123]

Some phlebotomists just don't like to have any requests thrown at them. And some just don't like not getting blood on X number of draws. My PCP's phlebotomist refuses to draw my blood because she's never gotten a full tube successfully within her self imposed 2 tries limit.

On the other hand, I've been spoiled by infusion nurses.. they're the best . They can find ANY vein, but even they need to stick multiple times on occasion. And the heating pad/hot pack trick is awesome.

From what they've told me, some people need the butterfly. Others don't. Some, like me don't do well with vacutainers connected directly--causes the vein to contract and quit giving blood. Seems most phlebotomists connect straight to the vacutainer because it's faster and less waste, so they think my veins just don't "give".

[Biciclista]

the reason butterflies don't hurt as much is because when you change from one vial to the next, you are not yanking on the needle, you're yanking on a flexible tube. That's why they're so great! (for me)

[mayanorange]

Some phlebotomists just don't like to have any requests thrown at them. And some just don't like not getting blood on X number of draws. My PCP's phlebotomist refuses to draw my blood because she's never gotten a full tube successfully within her self imposed 2 tries limit.

This is actually a standard procedure to protect the patients from undue harm. Not sure if it's law, but we all follow this guideline.

[crazycanuck]

What are butterfly needles???

[txred9876]

What are butterfly needles???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_needle

[txred9876]

My phlebotomist is great and he said that he can use a butterfly needle for mostt things but if he needs to do specific tests it does require a larger needle because the smaller needle does something to the blood. I don't argure...I am just glad he uses them everytime without anyone asking. This is my oncologists office though and they see many sick people all the time.
Tina

[lo123]

This is actually a standard procedure to protect the patients from undue harm. Not sure if it's law, but we all follow this guideline.

Definitely not law... when I was in the hospital last year, I had one nurse try 4 times before calling in someone else. My mom was stuck 9 times recently...

Most phlebotomists/nurses I've had will either try 3 times or 2 and have someone else try the third. Was at my GP's office yesterday and she has a new phlebotomist--yay! the old one refused to even try last time I was there. Said she wouldn't try and that I had to go to the hospital (30 minutes away) to get blood work done.

[mayanorange]

Most phlebotomists/nurses I've had will either try 3 times or 2 and have someone else try the third. Was at my GP's office yesterday and she has a new phlebotomist--yay! the old one refused to even try last time I was there. Said she wouldn't try and that I had to go to the hospital (30 minutes away) to get blood work done.

Maybe that's why they have a new phlebotomist?

9 times is a bit much- I have done 3 before, but it's usually try both arms, then resort to an obvious one on a hand.

[Jolt]

Definitely not law... when I was in the hospital last year, I had one nurse try 4 times before calling in someone else. My mom was stuck 9 times recently...

Most phlebotomists/nurses I've had will either try 3 times or 2 and have someone else try the third. Was at my GP's office yesterday and she has a new phlebotomist--yay! the old one refused to even try last time I was there. Said she wouldn't try and that I had to go to the hospital (30 minutes away) to get blood work done.

My rule for IVs is three tries--if I don't get it in by the third stick, it's time to get someone else. I think that's pretty standard--not law, but a generally accepted guideline to avoid making our patients feel too much like human pincushions.

[sundial]

I worked as a phlebotomist in a large family practice. I never hesitated to use the butterfly when 1) it was a pediatric patient 2) the veins were very small 3) the veins were roly poly and 4) it was a someone who was about to pass out at the site of a needle. Anytime my patients requested a butterfly I was happy to oblige. I don't know why other phlebotomists would not accommodate their patient's request.

[laura jane]

Coming in way late here, but the main reason is because butterfly needles have the highest 'stick' rate for health care workers. Don't know why, as I personally love using them, but among needle stick risks, this one is the highest!