Pre-collection
Collection method
- Use of straight needles is preferred, but a butterfly wingset may be used in difficult-to-bleed patients
- Note that the collection of blood specimens through IV cannuale is associated with increased rates of haemolysis
Patient identification
- Obtain minimum patient ID - name and date of birth - using open questions
- Check details against printed EPR barcode labels
Collection
Infection control
- Use Aseptic Non-Touch Technique
- Single use tourniquet and blood collection tube holder
Collection tubes
- Observing the correct order of draw will help prevent effects of contamination
- Mix by gentle inversion once after each tube, then together at the end of the procedure
- Refer to tube guide on the intranet
Collection technique
- Use the correct fill volume - this is vital for citrate tube. Collect a discard tube if filling a citrate tube first when using a butterfly. This allows for the air space in the butterfly tubing to be filled with blood rather than being transferred to the tube
- Do not leave the tourniquet on for an excessive length of time, as this can cause patient discomfort and compromise sample quality
Post-collection
Safety
- Use in-vein activation of the butterfly safety device
- Cover needle
- Dispose of sharps in an appropriate sharps bin
Labelling
- Blood tubes must be labelled at the patient's side, immediately following venepuncture. Do not leave the patient's side to label the tubes
- Tubes must be labelled with barcodes in the correct position/orientation - the barcode must be closest to the cap
