Blood samples are used in many medical laboratories. Analysis of a patient's blood can provide insight into the health and well-being of the patient.

Phlebotomists are often the ones who draw blood samples in a laboratory setting. These medical professionals must have a ready supply of needles available in order to successfully draw blood.

Needles are among the most important types of equipment found in a medical laboratory. Phlebotomy needles come in two primary varieties: straight needles and butterfly needles. Choosing between the two requires careful evaluation of the patient, analysis of any risks, and identification of the purpose of the blood sample.

Use the following criteria as you decide between a butterfly needle and a straight needle when drawing blood in your laboratory.

Vein Anatomy

While all human beings have veins, no two venous systems are exactly alike. You should always begin your needle selection with an evaluation of the patient's vein anatomy when drawing blood.

A patient with robust veins can easily handle a straight needle. This type of phlebotomy needle is linear and smooth. You simply insert the needle into the vein, then attach the needle to an evacuated tube.

Butterfly needles are the better option for patients who have small or fragile veins.

It can be very difficult to insert a straight needle directly into a small or fragile vein. A butterfly needle is much shorter and is equipped with plastic wings that you can hold during insertion.

The shorter length and increased control of a butterfly needle make these the perfect choice for collecting blood samples from the elderly, from infants, or from the smaller veins in the hands and feet.

Prior Medical Conditions

All blood labs should ask about prior medical conditions before using their equipment to collect samples from a patient. Some pre-existing medical conditions can rule out the use of a straight needle when drawing blood.

A butterfly needle should always be used when a patient has a history of tremors or seizing. These conditions can trigger uncontrolled movements that have the potential to cause serious nerve damage when a needle is inserted in the vein.

The shorter length of a butterfly needle allows the needle to be pulled from the patient quickly in order to prevent nerve damage.

Straight needles are a good option for patients who don't have any medical conditions that might cause uncontrolled movements to put their safety at risk.

Cost

Cost is always a concern in a laboratory setting. You want to ensure that the equipment you use to collect blood samples will not only perform effectively but will reduce the overall cost of services for the patient.

Straight needles are the most affordable option. A straight needle requires only the needle itself and an evacuated tube to collect blood. Butterfly needles must be connected to specialized tubing, with an evacuated tube attached to this plastic tubing.

Since butterfly needles use more components, they tend to be more expensive. Most medical labs use straight needles whenever possible to help minimize costs.

It's important to have both straight and butterfly needles available in your lab at all times, but ensure that you use the most cost-effective needle option for each individual patient.

Patient Comfort

A lot of people have trypanophobia, which is a fear of needles. The types of needles that you use in your lab can play a role in determining the comfort level of patients who have a fear of needles.

Butterfly needles tend to cause less pain upon insertion because they are shorter in length than their straight counterparts. A butterfly needle will also reduce the number of attempts that must be made to find a vein, which reduces pain for the patient.

Anyone who doesn't suffer from trypanophobia will easily be able to provide a blood sample using a straight needle.

Contact a company that supplies equipment like Hamilton Company lab equipment to learn more.