Push Pull Method of Blood Draw

[Kidsfelt]

I came across some articles on the Push Pull method of drawing blood. I wondered if anyone had experience with this or currently used this method? some of our patients have blood drawn from their PICCs several times a day and not having to discard 6 cc of blood would be nice! Thank you for any help you can provide.

Laura

[begalli]

Is this when you pull 6 ml out; push it back in; and repeat 2 more times and then discard the syringe and attach a new syringe to draw your specimen to send to the lab? I think this is recommended only for central lines.

I personally would not do this unless there are studies by both nursing and the licensing body of laboratories proving that cells are not hemolyzed.

There is a device that can be attached to central and arterial lines. Basically attached to the line there is a reservior that the "waste" is drawn into - it's 10ml. Then you can turn a stopcock to lock off the waste and open up the line to the patient. A vacutainer (best) or a syringe can be attached to the line and you draw your specimen. Then you re-open the "watse" reservior and push down on the top and the "waste" is returned to the patient.

Actually, there is no waste. The only blood that leaves the patient is the blood for the specimen.