tips on drawing blood. what angle do you place the needle? (butterfly) and should the specium tube already be attached?? s

starting a new job in the am and its been many years since i have drawn blood. i just dont remember. please help

Are you serious??!!??

In case you are, I'll answer your question.
Have needle bevel up. (the hole facing the ceiling) Gently with the thumb of your other hand, pull the skin near the puncture site to you. Insert the needle at a 1 to 5 degree angle to about 1/4 the needle length , blood enters the butterfly, stab the vacutainer, pop tourniquet, band-aid.

You'll need to double check your equipment first and read MD orders, (before you approach the patient).
A good trick for this is to visualize the veni-puncture procedure in reverse as you account for your phlebotomy supplies. For instance: start with the last thing you'll do first, like this:
1. band-aid or 2x2 gauze and paper tape
2. tourniquet
3. vacutainers
4. butterflies (the appropriate sizes, two of each)
5. Review patient info and MD orders: Right pt, Right procedure.

JWB in Larose, Louisiana said: Are you serious??!!??

In case you are, I'll answer your question.
Have needle bevel up. (the hole facing the ceiling) Gently with the thumb of your other hand, pull the skin near the puncture site to you. Insert the needle at a 1 to 5 degree angle to about 1/4 the needle length , blood enters the butterfly, stab the vacutainer, pop tourniquet, band-aid.

You'll need to double check your equipment first and read MD orders, (before you approach the patient).
A good trick for this is to visualize the veni-puncture procedure in reverse as you account for your phlebotomy supplies. For instance: start with the last thing you'll do first, like this:
1. band-aid or 2x2 gauze and paper tape
2. tourniquet
3. vacutainers
4. butterflies (the appropriate sizes, two of each)
5. Review patient info and MD orders: Right pt, Right procedure.

Patient can get hematoma from attaching tube prior to getting into the vein. Also, remove the tube before the needle. Removing needle with tube attached can also cause hematoma.

lynn in Huntsville, Alabama said: starting a new job in the am and its been many years since i have drawn blood. i just dont remember. please help

I know one thing for sure. I certainly wouldn't want you to draw my blood. I realize this is a Q/A board but good golly, I would be embarrassed to death to ask this. I think I would go to the local blood bank & give & get educated at the same time.
Thank God for those that did answer.
Refresher courses???
Ya gotta be kiddin

lynn in Huntsville, Alabama said: starting a new job in the am and its been many years since i have drawn blood. i just dont remember. please help

How did you tun out in your new job 9 months ago. I hope the tips were helpful.
I think that everyone starting a new job is afraid to mess up.

Just wanted to say that I thought that the comments were just really rude and you guys wouldn't be drawing my blood whether u knew what u were doing or not. Mostpeople get into health care for a reason(b/c they care about others) and at least she/ he asked how to draw and didn't just go and do it with her head up her ass and snotty like you guys/ girls. Either way, good for you for not thinking there is a stupid question? Cuz when it comes to healthcare there not. Good luck and hope the job worked out.

First of all... everyone needs a brief review(or just a boost of confidence) once in a while. Once your reminded of the procedure, it all comes back to you. Whether it's working with MS Excel or yes even drawing blood. The woman needs a job like everybody else. I think it's fine she asked. I think she would be smart enough to know if someone was lying about the procedure. Trust me ...I'm an MA and there are more physicians out there that don't know what there doing and they don't ask because people are so quick to judge!

stupidis said: I know one thing for sure. I certainly wouldn't want you to draw my blood. I realize this is a Q/A board but good golly, I would be embarrassed to death to ask this. I think I would go to the local blood bank & give & get educated at the same time.
Thank God for those that did answer.
Refresher courses???
Ya gotta be kiddin

I am a new MA and its comments and people like this that make me nervous and self counscious to do things like draw blood. A little positive re inforcement is what we need to give each other. I would rather someone say "now remind me how to do that" then act like they know and really mess it up!