How Do Butterfly Needles Improve The Blood Draw Process
Even outside of dental applications, butterfly designs are extensively used. When venipuncture is difficult, the blood draw butterfly is the ideal solution.
Clinicians use butterfly devices for:
- Patients where it is difficult to achieve a successful stick to draw blood.
- Elderly patients.
- Infants and children.
Patients dont have to fall into these categories. Blood draw butterfly needles are often preferred by clinicians because the insertion angle is shallower when compared to an IV catheter. The needle is smaller than a traditional IV catheter which makes it easier to stick veins that are small, fragile, or that roll during insertion.
Butterfly-style needles are the preferred choice when drawing significant amounts of blood, such as when donating at a blood bank. The collection system is also an advantage. Instead of drawing directly into a bag or syringe, the butterfly system has flexible tubing that allows for efficient collection.
What Gauge Needles Are Used For Donating Blood
Donating blood is different from having your blood drawn for a blood test. A large amount of blood is drawn during donation. It can vary from 200 to 550 ml depending on the country but 450 to 500 ml is typical. A 16, 17, or 18 gauge needle is used. This will vary from country to country. A 16 gauge may be the go-to in one country while an 18 gauge may be more common in another.
The large hole of the needle facilitates the flow of blood and within a few minutes a pint of blood is collected.
Butterfly Needle Sets Market 2022 By Technology Application Global Analysis And Forecast To 2030
The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.
The global butterfly needle blood collection set market was $166.60 million in 2019, and is expected to reach $320.02 million by 2027, registering a CAGR 8.20% from 2020 to 2027. The major factors that drive the market growth are rise in prevalence of chronic diseases globally such as cancer, intravenous therapy, cardiovascular diseases, and bleeding disorders. In addition, increase in prevalence of chronic diseases and need for managing long term medications and drug infusions are some of the other factors that boost the growth of the market. However, lack of product innovations and regulatory standards on butterfly needle usage and phlebotomists blood collection hamper the market growth. Moreover, safety and convenience provided by the needles d treatment associated with butterfly needle offer opportunities for the market growth during the forecast period.
Important data on the current and anticipated revenues of key international industry participants, as well as the goods they provide as part of the landscape, will also be included in our in-depth analysis. The report provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of competitive frameworks like Porters Five Forces analysis, SWOT analysis, and PESTLE analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the numerous aspects that support the research findings.
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What Patients Can You Use A Butterfly Needle On
Butterfly needles are not intended for everyone. The higher gauge and thinner diameter is meant to help patients whose veins are most susceptible to damage. The most common patients that utilize butterfly needles are infants, children, and the elderly. Other patients who require a butterfly needle are people with difficult draws, thin veins, or veins that are difficult to find.
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What About Higher Gauge Needles
The other gauge needles like 25 to 30 are too small for drawing blood, although the 25 gauge may be used to draw blood from very small and fragile veins. The holes in those needles are too small for blood cells to pass without getting damaged. When red blood cells get damaged, hemolysis occurs, which can alter lab test results.
The flow of blood is also very slow. When the flow is so slow the blood can clot. Those gauge needles are more commonly used for shots or injections.
| Needle Gauge |
| Adults with small or thin veins |
What Butterfly Needles Are Used For
Phlebotomists regularly use butterfly needles to obtain blood samples for blood-based tests.
Butterfly needles can also be used to deliver intravenous fluids if you are dehydrated and either cannot drink fluids or cannot drink enough to compensate for fluid loss.
Additionally, they are useful for delivering medications straight into a vein or infusing IV therapies intravenously.
Though butterfly needles can be left in a vein for five to seven days if properly secured, they are more commonly used for short-term infusions.
Regular or ongoing infusions are typically given through a larger vein via a central line or peripherally inserted central catheter line.
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Butterfly Needles Are Preferred By People Who Are Scared Of Needles
Many patients say that butterfly needles are less painful than the regular needles used at the lab. Butterfly needles tend to be thinner and shorter than standard lab needles. Plus, they have soft plastic wings that allow the needle to be inserted at a lower angle. Butterfly needles also come with soft flexible tubing, so that the vials can be filled and changed without moving the needle while its in your vein. Our mobile lab only uses butterfly needles to do blood work, making the experience much more pleasant for people who are scared of needles.
How Is A Butterfly Needle Used
A medical professional will use a butterfly needle to draw your blood or to try and access a vein to give intravenous medications.
Alternatively, they may use an intravenous catheter. It has a retractable needle thats inside a protective sheath. The needle is inserted into the vein, and then a button is pushed to retract the needle and leave the sheath or catheter.
This is different from a butterfly needle, where the needle gets left in the vein instead of a plastic sheath. However, the butterfly needle is usually smaller in length than an IV catheter.
There are certain cases where one should be chosen over the other. Drawing blood is one of these cases.
A person drawing blood may choose a butterfly needle when drawing blood for the following purposes:
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What Are The Disadvantages Of A Butterfly Needle
Butterfly needles used for IV medications or fluids involve leaving an actual needle in the vein. On the other hand, an IV catheter is a thin, flexible catheter with no needle on the end. Leaving a needle in could potentially injure a part of the vein or nearby areas if accidentally removed.
While the amount of time a butterfly needle can be used for medications or fluid administration may vary based on the manufacturer, some manufacturers recommend an infusion of no more than five hours with a butterfly needle.
Sometimes, butterfly needles can be difficult to insert properly. The short needle may be easily pulled back from the vein, and you may require another stick.
To prevent unintended sticks, some butterfly needles have a push-button function that retracts the needle when the blood draw is complete. Sometimes its possible to push this button before intended.
Venipuncture Armamentarium And Infusion Pumps
Peripheral venous access is commonly achieved with one of several different angiocatheters . One specific catheter system is the BD Insyte Autoguard , which is a shielded intravenous catheter. This angiocatheter enables a surgeon to push a button on the catheter handle after the needle is inserted into the vein, instantly retracting the needle into the handle and reducing the risk of a needlestick injury.
Fig. 5. BD Insyte Autoguard Catheter . When pushed, white button safely retracts needle into handle. B. Braun Introcan Safety IV Catheter Winged .
A winged infusion set, or butterfly needle, can be used during venipuncture for phlebotomy in patients with thin blood vessels that roll. The butterfly needle is not routinely used for the administration of intravenous fluids. If a butterfly needle is available and used because of difficult intravenous access, it may require the use of an arm board to prevent the upper extremity or hand from bending at the site of venipuncture.
A surgeon may choose to use an infusion pump to deliver intravenous medications rather than pushing intermittent boluses of the same drug . Most infusion pumps provide similar safety and programmable features, such as accurate rapid occlusion detection and automated piggyback or concurrent delivery of a given drug. Some infusion pumps can also be programmed to accurately deliver intravenous fluids or blood products.
Fig. 6. Infusion pump.
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The Importance Of Using The Right Needle
The process of collecting blood samples impacts every step that follows. If the sample is collected properly in line with best practice guidelines, the risks of inaccurate diagnostics fall dramatically. Phlebotomists have skills and training that enable them to complete procedures safely, efficiently and accurately. Before collecting blood from a patient, a phlebotomist will assess the scenario carefully to select the right needle. Using the right needle makes accessing the vein easier, enhances safety and makes the procedure more tolerable and less daunting for patients and clients. In most cases, straight needles are the best option, but there are circumstances when butterfly needles offer advantages for phlebotomists and their patients.
Blood Draw Butterly Devices For Prf Centrifuge
High-quality blood draw butterfly needles offer the best solution for extraction when blood samples will be processed in a PRF centrifuge.
PRF protocols are a set of open protocols designed to develop autologous membranes and injectable liquids that promote healing. Blood prepared in a centrifuge using PRF protocols can create:
- Cohesive membrane materials that are rich in growth factors and regenerative cells. The concentration of growth factors is much higher than platelet-rich plasma. The material is referred to as platelet-rich fibrin or PRF.
- Liquid materials that are rich in growth factors and ready for injection into a surgical wound or grafting site. Liquid PRF improves healing by nourishing the wound. It can dramatically improve patient outcomes and in some cases reduce total healing time.
Blood draw butterfly needles can be specifically designed for use with a PRF centrifuge.
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Pros Of Lower Gauge Butterflies
Butterfly needles with larger bores, or those with lower gauges, may be used for certain situations or lab tests. Because most butterfly needles are 21- to 23-gauge, technicians might say an 18- or 20-gauge needle is large.
Here are a few reasons a medical professional or patient might prefer a butterfly needle with a lower gauge:
- Less prone to clogging: Some professionals may prefer larger needles because they are less likely to get clogged than thinner needles. Larger needles may be the preferred choice for injecting viscous fluids.
- May produce more accurate specimens: A larger needle with a lower gauge might be more appropriate for test samples. As the World Health Organization states, a too-small needle may damage blood cells in a process called hemolysis during sampling. Thus, it’s critical to ensure proper gauge size for tests that require whole blood cells.
- Recommended for blood draws: A lower gauge, such as an 18-gauge butterfly needle, is more likely to be used for blood draws when completing blood tests. A larger needle collects blood faster than a smaller one and may be the best choice in emergencies or if a patient is squeamish.
How Butterfly Needles Are Used
During venipuncture , a phlebotomist or nurse will hold the butterfly needle by its wings between the thumb and index finger. Because the hypodermic needle is short and the grasp is close to the needle, the butterfly needle can be placed more accurately than a straight needle, which can often roll or wiggle in the fingers.
The short, thin needle is inserted toward a vein at a shallow angle. Once inserted, the venous pressure will force a small amount of blood into the transparent tubing, providing confirmation that the needle is correctly placed.
The wings can also serve to stabilize the needle once it is in place, preventing it from rolling or shifting.
Once used , the entire unit is thrown away in a sharps disposal container. The puncture wound is then bandaged.
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What Are The Different Butterfly Needle Gauge Sizes
Butterfly needles are available in a range of sizes, and they are measured by length and gauge. The gauge refers to the diameter of the bore in the needle. Typically, butterfly needle gauge sizes range from 18 to 27, with higher numbers representing thinner needles with smaller bores. The length of a standard butterfly needle is 3/4 inch.
Easily And Safely Facilitates Venipuncture
Taking everything into consideration, patients and professionals can both benefit from this method. An easier venipuncture blood draw supports the improvement of healthcare outcomes, and with proper control and technique, a butterfly needle blood collection system helps prevent needlestick injuries and the spreading of infectious diseases.
Cascade Health Care supplies blood collection sets for healthcare professionals in medical facilities. Our quality collection includes systems containing a butterfly needle with vacutainer to collect samples safely and efficiently. Select from our assortment of options from high-grade brands to help maximize patient comfort and safety. Please reach out to our team with any product questionswere happy to provide assistance or guidance.
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What Is A Butterfly Needle And What Is It Used For
A butterfly needle is a shorter needle with a thinner gauge, ranging from sizes 18 to 27. When measuring gauges, the higher the number, the thinner the diameter, making butterfly needles one of the thinnest needles for phlebotomists to use. Typically, 21 or 23 gauge are used for blood draws.
Butterfly needles are also known as a winged transfusion set or a scalp vein for its two wings. Butterflies are not the standard needle for blood sample collection, but they are often utilized for patients with shallow or thin veins.
The tubes of a butterfly needle vary from 8 to 15 inches. For most needle sets, shorter tubes are used for blood draws, whereas longer tubes are used for intravenous therapy.
When To Use Straight And Butterfly Needles
There are advantages and disadvantages of both straight and butterfly needles, and phlebotomists learn when to use which type of needle as part of their training and ongoing clinical development. In the vast majority of cases, straight needles provide an effective solution for efficient blood sample collection, but there are scenarios when a butterfly needle may offer benefits for the patient and the phlebotomist. Examples of situations that may require a butterfly needle include taking blood from fragile, narrow, small veins and collecting samples from children, infants and the elderly. The shorter length of the butterfly needle and the angled entry allow for easier access to narrow and delicate veins and veins located in parts that are difficult to reach with a straight needle.
Selecting the right needle is a significant driving factor in successful, effective, precise, safe blood collection. Using a suitable needle will not only reduce the risk of discomfort and help patients to feel relaxed and at ease, but it will also help to ensure that the sample is viable.
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We Need To Take Some Considerations Before Using The Butterfly Needle
1. Identify the patient NOTE: A patient has the right to refuse a blood collection.
2. Assemble collection materials at the patients bedside/chairsidea Butterfly needled Alcohol prep pads/70% Isopropyl Alcohole Appropriate vacutainer tubes f Gauze/Cotton Ballsh Lab requisition or Trip listi LIS labels or hospital labels g Sharps disposal container
3. Wash your hands with soap and water.
4. Put on a new pair of gloves for each new patient to avoid infection
5. Insert the needle into the vacuatiner holder* Open up the Butterfly needle package and remove the set.* NOTE: the sheathed end of the needle is exposed grasp the set by the plasticportion closest to the sheathed end when handling and inserting into the vacutainer holder.* Screw the sheathed end of the needle in a right twisting motion in thevacutainer holder.
6. Determine the order of draw for the blood collection tubes
7. Place the first tube to be drawn loosely in the vacutainer holder The first tube to be drawn is a light blue top or black top * A discard tube must be drawn before filling the tubefor analysis. A minimum volume of 1ml is required.* NOTE: the discard tube must be the same as the tubecollected for analysis ..
8. Ensure the patient is either in a sitting position or is lying down* Never draw blood from a patient who is standing.
What to Look for* Locate a vein that is palpitable/has some bounce to it.* Note the location of the vein.* Note the direction in which the vein is running.
Scared Of Needles We Can Help
About 1 in 5 people admit that they are scared of needles. Even though being scared of needles doesnt usually affect people in their day-to-day life, it can cause people to avoid getting their blood work done. Blood work is ordered for routine check ups, to diagnose diseases, and to monitor treatments. Avoiding a trip to the lab for blood work can negatively affect someones health by delaying the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
One of the goals of our medical clinic is to make great health easier and more accessible. Not only do our family practitioners make house calls, we also have Registered Nurses who can travel to our patients home to do procedures, such as drawing blood work. Our patients get to lay comfortably on their bed or couch in their own home while a Registered Nurse carefully uses a butterfly needle to collect the samples of blood before delivering it to the lab.
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