Blood Tests - Buttefly Needles

[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!