Wasting Blood

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 3, 2004

Where I work, we usually waste 5 cc before doing the draw.

CCU NRS · Feb 3, 2004

Standard at my facility is 10ccs don't know if there is any exact correct but espcially if it is an artline or a line with heparin mix to keep open I would aste at least 10cc

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 3, 2004

3-5 cc here. Never more than 5 cc.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2004

you need to consider your patient's condition and whether or not they are volume depleted. Also, what fluids are infusing? How often are you accessing the line? With no additives in that line, and frequent access, I have done it with 2-3 cc, assuming patient was "normal" weight for age/height.

bestblondRN · Feb 3, 2004

Originally posted by purplemania
you need to consider your patient's condition and whether or not they are volume depleted. Also, what fluids are infusing? How often are you accessing the line? With no additives in that line, and frequent access, I have done it with 2-3 cc, assuming patient was "normal" weight for age/height.

Also need to consider how frequently blood is being drawn and pt's H&H, esp. with kids. I generally draw 5 cc on a normal weight, non-volume depleted adult from an art line or other heparinized line.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2004

5cc where I work

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 3, 2004

1 red top I think that's 7 cc. If someone is low then we 'd do microtainer H&H in pedi tubes.

BarbPick · Feb 3, 2004

Originally posted by CCURN
How much blood should you waste when drawing from a PICC, Arterial line or Swan before you take the sample.
I have had several answers from people at work, and need another opinion.
Thanks

I agree with all for 5 cc's except for groshong caths. It takes a good 10 cc's of saline to force open the valve, and 10 cc's to close and clean it.

cbrnbloompa · Feb 3, 2004

5 cc here, but ALWAYS ALWAYS check you policies and procedures for your facility.

IamRN · Feb 4, 2004

I would check w/the policy and procedure to your facility and in addition to that consider the patients situation.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2004

There actually has been a ton of research on this. The amount you need to draw depends on the size of the catheter and the distance of the port from the distal end. It depends too on the test.

If you are using a short IV cath as an artline and the port is located on the patient's arm then 3 CC is enough however if you have a long cath and a long line and most especially if you are still using heparinized saline then you might need to take 15 - 20cc to avoid contamination when taking blood for clotting studies.

There is also a line set-up called a "vamp" where there is an in-line system for drawing the blood up the line and then returning that blood to the patient.