How to draw blood with a Butterfly Needle – Butterfly Blood Draw

Butterfly Blood Draw – Withdrawing blood with a butterfly needle is a common practice that phlebotomists adopt. Medical professionals and aestheticians use these butterfly needles, also known as scalp vein sets, while performing extraction and infusion procedures during treatments.

So, if you are looking to learn how to draw blood with a butterfly needle, then this complete guide is for you!

What is Butterfly Needle?

A Butterfly needle, also known as a winged infusion set, is a type of needle that is smaller in comparison to the average hub and needle based on the size and gauges.

Furthermore, contrary to the traditional needles, these butterfly needles have plastic wings on each side, making it possible to access superficial veins and keep the needle in place during the procedure.

Different healthcare facilities and phlebotomists have varying views about the use of butterfly needles as some think that the use of these needles comes where phlebotomist fail or have difficulty in blood drawing, whereas other do believe using butterfly needles offer beneficial results in every blood draw.

Steps for Butterfly Blood Draw

Now learn the step-by-step guide on the butterfly blood draw procedure while using this two-winged needle (a winged infusion set)…

1. Sizes for butterfly needles range from ½ to ¾ inches in length and 21 to 25 gauge in diameter. It is necessary to use a butterfly and a syringe on babies, young children, and some adults because they have small veins.
2. When drawing blood with a syringe, either alone or in conjunction with a butterfly, evacuated tubes should be placed in the appropriate order in a rack before blood collection to be immediately available for transfer.
3. Take the syringe out of the sterile container, then press the plunger in and out to ensure it moves smoothly.
4. Making the plunger fully inserted, aseptically connect the syringe to the needle or butterfly set.
5. Apply the venipuncture technique. The needle’s hub will fill with blood if the placement is correct.
6. Pulling slowly on the plunger while releasing the tourniquet will prevent the needle from being removed from the arm. Red blood cells could be hemolyzed, and the vein could rupture if the plunger is pressed too firmly.
7. Have the patient grip the cotton ball firmly while you remove the needle from their arm
8. If necessary, mix each evacuated tube as it is filled to activate anticoagulants. Next, attach a transfer device to the syringe and start filling the evacuated tubes in the proper order right away.
9. Instead of forcing the blood into the tubes—which may result in hemolysis—allow it to flow while aiming the needle toward the tube’s side.
10. Now you are drawing blood using the butterfly blood drawer

In a Nutshell

In a nutshell, your views on using butterfly needles may change as you progress through phlebotomy school and careers. The use of a butterfly ultimately depends on the kind of blood drawing procedures phlebotomists perform, the organization you work for, and how expensive it might be. Therefore, you must learn how to use a butterfly blood drawer as it may help you overcome the difficulties of drawing blood from patients with thin veins at medical facilities. If you are searching for further information check out this video on butterfly blood draw.