blood sample with a butterfly needle

annaedRN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

You could try leveling out the needle a little - flattening it out so the bevel/needle is more "flush " with the vein if that makes sense. Also, make sure the tubes are in tight so to cause enough of a vacuum. I've had a few where I need to hold the tube in tight to make get enough blood. I usually have no problems with it being a slow flow though. Hope you figure it out. like anything practice makes perfect!!

meluhn · Mar 22, 2009

You are probably just used to seeing the way the blood shoots out with the larger needles and the butterfly seems slow in comparison. The above poster is right, when you are in the vein try changing the angle of the needle ever so slightly and see if the blood flows faster. Where I work the butterflies are like gold because we cant get blood on these little old people with a regular needle. Good luck.

EMT-2-RN · Mar 22, 2009

I agree with the above posters. When drawing blood with a butterfly the needle is small and if the blood is not flowing like it should it is probably positional. If you are in the vein just move the angle of the needle around until you get better blood flow and try and steady the needle there until you get the blood you need.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 22, 2009

I still don't understand why people always ask for a butterfly. The needle is shorter, but still a 23g just like the reg needles! Some of our butterflies are even 20g, which is larger in diameter than the reg phlebotomy supplies. I guess they see the shorter needle and in their mind it is "smaller". I don't mind using a butterfly if it's a nice surface vein, like in the hand or forearm, or in an infant, but it is easier for me to use the reg needle that I'm used to handling a thousand times a day.

cebe385RN · Mar 22, 2009

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jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Mar 22, 2009

we only use butterflys with the cord that runs to the port where you push the vacuum sealed blood sample tube in. sometimes you have to check and see if the cord is connected tight on top of the port where you push the vacuum sealed tube in, otherwise it will run slow.

i dont know if you're SUPPOSED to do this, but sometimes if you have the needle in far enough, you can adjust the level, or try pulling out a tad or going further in to see if the blood flow speeds up.

you'll get it

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

Sometimes, I find that stretching/pulling the skin towards me, in the same direction as the needle/vein helps to ease blood flow.

Just curious, do you always make sure the bevel is up? It may sound really stupid but I used to have the same exact problem (I'm a new nurse too), and I finally realized that the bevel was down, and that's why I couldn't get the blood to flow. May just be me but hey, worth a shot..

The "bevel"* is relevant only for penetration i.e. the act of breaking through the skin and the blood vessel.

It has no relation to blood flow once the needle is in the vessel itself.

Penetration is easier when the "bevel" of the needle-point is facing away from the surface being penetrated (lower surface area in contact = higher pressure at point of contact = lesser force required to achieve penetration).

On a semi-related tangent - "bevels" and penetration angles were extensively studied by tank designers to build better armor protection for their tanks (the most famous and classic example is the Soviet T-34). It's still a relevant discussion in tank design today.

'geek'-ily yours,

Roy

* A "bevel" simply refers to any surface that is not perpendicular (90°) to the face.

MrsDye · Mar 22, 2009

I have the same problem and when the blood runs out slow sometimes it will even clot off in the tube......So I will attach a syringe to the end and pull SLOWLY and have much better luck doing it that way. If you pull the syringe too fast the sample may be hemolysed and lab will want a re-draw. Hope it helps :)

waitingforthedream · Mar 22, 2009

I never use a butterfly needle unless I am using the hand to draw blood, things are to darn expensive to use for patients convenience! Our Patients seem to think that it is less painful, but I try to explain that it is still going to pinch. It takes twice the amount of time if not longer, and is a pain. We sometimes have problems with sample being hemolysed like above poster said also. If I need to use your hand, you get a butterfly. If I see good veins in arm, no you cannot have a butterfly!

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2009

We only have butterfly needles. I'd be lost trying to use anything else.

waitingforthedream · Mar 22, 2009

They are great when someone has no veins left, my employer lets us use them only when necessary because of expense. They are the greatest invention next to sliced bread! We used to hoard them in our pockets because manager never ordered alot of them. I have a secret stash just for me!!!:)