Drawing Lab Samples from Hickman Lines

[rnewmanjunkie]

Our hospital is trying to solve a dilemma. We use a syringe to draw lab samples from a Hickman line then attach a needle and transfer the blood to the vacutainer tubes. We have an increase in clotted samples and it was discovered that some of the nurses are drawing the sample, laying the syringe to the side, flushing the line then attaching the needle and transferring the sample to the tubes. Is there a better way to collect these samples? Does anyone use a device to draw blood straight from the line and into the tube? We are trying to find a way to bypass the syringe/transfer step. Thanks!!!!!!!

[rnewmanjunkie]

Someone mentioned using the yellow vacutainer hub and removing the needle from the outside. Maybe I'm missing something, but the needle is one piece so how would I remove the outside needle? Can the BD screw on luer-lok access device be used with Broviac lines?

Ok...I need to fess up. I'm not an RN, actually I'm a Med Tech and work in the lab. Part of my job is training new nurses about drawing lab samples and to help troubleshoot solutions with nursing when we start seeing a trend with unacceptable samples, i.e. clotted samples, QNS. I just needed some input from other nurses. Thanks for your help.......