Safety Devices For Blood Collection

frankie · Oct 13, 2002

Sunnygirl, Frankie here. In the IV clinic, we use BD 23 gauge butterfly with safety needle and we add an the vacutainer adapter, and the vacutainer holder. The butterfly looks like the one you pictured here - we have no problems with this product. Metal needle - sharp - safety needle. Now, BD makes a cheeper version of a butterfly - blue wings also, but the needle, well it is a safety needle, but a poor one, and the metal needle is sort of ...flimsy - if a metal needle can be described as flimsy. They are not as sharp, bend easily, have that "skin drag" on insertion - and are generally a light weight product. Maybe your hosp. is buying the cheep ones. frankie

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 13, 2002

Google search results---happy hunting for what YOU want.

As head of safety committee, I emailed/wrote companies for samples that I thought staff would like--showed tstaff pics and asked what they had seen other places working and liked. Three RN managers and 4 staff practiced on oranges and selected products WE wanted. Try that approach.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Safety+Devices+For+Blood+Collection+&btnG=Google+Search

This link from International Saftey Workers group lists products by type and includes testing forms we adapted for our use

http://hsc.virginia.edu/medcntr/centers/epinet/products.html

sunnygirl272 · Oct 13, 2002

karen, thanks..the google search results are about the same ones i got with other search engines....i will try that 2nd link you poated later today when i have time....

i have gotten samples from Terumo a while back, but did nt even bother sharing the wealth, they were very flimsy....

anyway..more later after i check out that 2nd link....

shabookitty · Oct 13, 2002

I use the same butterflies that you guys are using ...BD 23 gauge butterfly. I find it hard to hang onto while wearing gloves...as for safety purposes...I don't think any needle is really safe.

I was taught a one handed technique to close this butterfly. It has a sheath that must be pushed up from the end and over the needle. You have to hang onto the line loosely with the same hand that is doing the pushing. Tricky. Yours probably has this too. It seems to work...but I did stick myself while taking the top off of a fresh one! Grrr. Those tops are hard to remove ...you really have to pull from the tip. How often do you use butterflies? I draw from elderly patients and it works well...but we are told we "overuse" them. whatever that means...

sunnygirl272 · Oct 13, 2002

Originally posted by shabookitty
How often do you use butterflies? I draw from elderly patients and it works well...but we are told we "overuse" them. whatever that means...

overuse from management means they wish you would use a cheaper product...lol... i do homecare and the majority of our clients are elderly...most of us use the butterflies not only because they are easier on the hard sticks, but it is easier to switch tubes with a butterfly because of the attched extension tubing...in homecare you are never in an ideal position or situation...for blood draws, cath insertion, anything,....lol...

ucavalpn · Oct 13, 2002

I have been using Punctur-Guard , made by Bio-Plex for about a year now . I like them pretty well. These come in both regular and butterfly . The latest thing is that the vacutainer holder is discarded also . I was told at the last inservice that these would soon be made as a one piece unit , after existing stock was used .

I'd add a link to there web site , but sorry I don't know how.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 14, 2002

Bio-Plex website--click on products when picture of butterfly device for info:

http://www.bio-plexus.com/

ucavalpn · Oct 14, 2002

Thank You Karen. :kiss

sunnygirl272 · Oct 14, 2002

OOh....(squealing with delight)....i just emailed BioPlexus and asked for samples.....:kiss

kellylab · Mar 8, 2005

SUnnygirl272.... try the Smiths Saf T Wing from Smiths Medical.... I work with them and love them....

has anyone found any decent butterflies for blood collection? these are the ones we currently use: I do not like them, nor do any of my co-workers who have an opinion. we have now pitched enough of a fit about not being consulted on which devices were ordered, and they are finally allowing us to make the decision. Problem being, there do not seem to be many butterflies out there, and the ones that i have seen do not really seem to meet the one-handed disposal idea.
any and all suggestions appreciated.