What is the proper gauge needle to use for a phlebotomy procedure?

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Venipuncture is the blood extraction from a vein, usually taken by a chemist, bacteriologist, parasitologist, a laboratory worker, a nursing staff, a paramedic or a student of any of these professions. It is also known as blood extraction or phlebotomy.

Usually, 5 to 25 ml are extracted depending on the type of blood tests that have been requested. The blood is placed in a test tube commercially prepared to transport the blood and keep it safe according to the requirements of the laboratory that will process the sample.

Occasionally tiny amounts of blood are taken as samples from diabetic patients, newborns or prior to a blood donation. A venipuncture is also performed for a blood donation or in patients with polycythemia, from whom 350-500 cc of blood is extracted. Tests done on the blood or parts of it can provide important clues to the doctor about the person’s health, guiding him or her toward diagnosis and/or treatment.

Equipment

There are many ways in which blood can be drawn from a vein. The best method varies with the age of the patient, the available equipment, and the blood tests requested. Usually, venous blood is drawn from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.

Some private centers use devices that consist of a plastic tube connected to a hypodermic needle, to which a vacuum tube is inserted during extraction. Under certain circumstances, a butterfly needle, which is a plastic catheter attached to a very small diameter needle, may be used.

Because the syringes are manually operated, the amount of suction applied can be easily controlled. This is particularly useful for patients who have small veins. Unfortunately, there is a greater chance of hemolysis when a syringe is used, especially if the person performing the puncture or phlebotomy pulls the plunger of the syringe with excessive force.

Needles

At the moment there are no devices for human blood extraction that do not work with metal needles. The reason for the use of needles is based on the need to cross the skin to the vein depth. The needles come in different diameters presentations, which are represented by numbers.

The diameter of the needle is indicated by the gauge of the needle. Each caliber has a series of different lengths. There are several systems to measure the caliber of the needles. The needles most commonly used in the medical field range from number 7, the widest, to number 33, the smallest: the largest caliber is reserved for smaller diameter needles. 21-gauge needles are the most commonly used for venipuncture, while 16-gauge needles are commonly used for blood donation, as they are thick enough to allow red blood cells to pass through the needle without being broken; In addition, the thicker caliber allows more blood to be collected or delivered in a shorter period. Although reusable needles have application in situations of scientific research, disposable needles are much more common in the use of medicine in order to prevent the transmission of diseases. Disposable needles should be discarded in a plastic or aluminum bucket previously designated for that purpose.

When taking a phlebotomy course in NYC, you’ll learn about and practice administering a variety of needles, including butterfly needles. Butterfly needles, which are also known as a winged infusion set or a scalp vein set, are commonly used on babies, young children, and the elderly in order to draw blood or to administer medication using an IV.

Here’s what you need to know about butterfly needles, including when to use them and why they’re used.

Butterfly Needles 101

A butterfly needle is used to access a superficial vein and can be used for drawing blood as well as for an IV injection. These needles are much easier to use and are much less painful for patients. This is because of the winged tubing which allows for greater flexibility. If you need to draw blood from a patient with small veins or ones that are hard to see and feel, it’s best to use a butterfly needle.

Butterfly needles are available in a gauge bore range of 18 to 27. The most commonly used gauge bores are 21G and 23G, while extremely small gauge bores like 25G and 27G are rarely used because they cause the blood sample to clot, making it invalid to use for testing.

As you’ll learn when undergoing phlebotomy training in NYC, you’ll want to use a 23G needle when working with pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as those with difficult veins, especially when administering the needle in the hand.

A larger needle, such as a 21G, is best used for drawing blood as the needle is a little thicker and allows more blood to be collected quicker.

Since butterfly needles are often less painful than straight needles, you may encounter patients who specifically ask you to use a butterfly needle. What’s important is that you use the proper gauge to get the job done effectively, quickly, and, most importantly, as pain-free as possible.

Types of Butterfly Needles

The most standard type of butterfly needle is the standard safety device. This needle comes in a variety of sizes and consists of tubing, a needle, and a hub or luer lock.

After performing venipuncture, you must hold the hub of the butterfly to activate the safety mechanism. Once the needle is out, you pull the tubing and cover the needle using the safety device.

A newer type of butterfly needle is the pushbutton safety device which offers a slide and lock safety device. This minimizes the risk of accidental needle sticks.

Benefits of Butterfly Needles

While straight needles are much easier to use, butterfly needles offer a variety of benefits, including:

  • Minimal pain for the patient
  • Ability to reach more body surface
  • Designed for angle insertion
  • Able to be used on wrist, hand, and scalp veins

By understanding these benefits and knowing when to use butterfly needles, you can master your phlebotomy courses in NYC and eventually start your career in the healthcare and medical industries!

All About Our Phlebotomy Program

While there are all sorts of training centers that offer students the ability to earn a phlebotomy certification in NYC, ABC Learning Center is the ideal location to get the training you need.

At our center not only will you learn the skills needed to become a phlebotomist, you’ll also learn the skills needed to work as an EKG technician. Our EKG and Phlebotomy courses teach you not only how to administer needles, but how to administer stress tests, basic EKGs, and Holter monitoring.

What’s even better is that our phlebotomy and EKG training in NYC courses are affordable. The total cost of the program is $1,700, and you can have your certification in just 8 weeks!

Kickstart your career with our phlebotomy training in NYC. Call us today at (718) 364-6700 to enroll or to learn about our other programs.

What is the ideal gauge of needle for phlebotomy?

21 gauge needles are most commonly used for routine blood draws and venipuncture. Most patients possess veins that are wide enough for a 21 gauge needle to fit comfortably.

What is the standard needle gauge and length for phlebotomy?

The common butterfly needles are 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and come in a range of gauges, with 21 and 23 gauge the most frequently used. The smallest gauge, 25, is used primarily with pediatric patients. 1 The short needle length allows the phlebotomist to insert it at a shallow angle that can increase the ease of use.

What is 23 gauge needle used for?

The normal medical use for the 23G 25mm (1inch) needle is for Intramuscular, intravenous, and subcutaneous injections.

What is a 24 gauge needle used for?

These are regular-walled medical point needles. They are for intramuscular, subcutaneous, and other injections and are available in a wide range of gauges and lengths.