"Drawing blood" redirects here. For the book, see Drawing Blood.
Still photo of a venipuncture procedureVideo of a venipuncture procedure
In medicine, venipuncture or venepuncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access for the purpose of venous blood sampling (also called phlebotomy) or intravenous therapy. In healthcare, this procedure is performed by medical laboratory scientists, medical practitioners, some EMTs, paramedics, phlebotomists, dialysis technicians, and other nursing staff.[1] In veterinary medicine, the procedure is performed by veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
It is essential to follow a standard procedure for the collection of blood specimens to get accurate laboratory results. Any error in collecting the blood or filling the test tubes may lead to erroneous laboratory results.[2]
Venipuncture is one of the most routinely performed invasive procedures and is carried out for any of five reasons:
to obtain blood for diagnostic purposes;
to monitor levels of blood components;[3]
to administer therapeutic treatments including medications, nutrition, or chemotherapy;
to remove blood due to excess levels of iron or erythrocytes (red blood cells); or
to collect blood for later uses, mainly transfusion either in the donor or in another person.
Blood analysis is an important diagnostic tool available to clinicians within healthcare.
Blood is most commonly obtained from the superficial veins of the upper limb.[1] The median cubital vein, which lies within the cubital fossa anterior to the elbow, is close to the surface of the skin without many large nerves positioned nearby. Other veins that can be used in the cubital fossa for venipuncture include the cephalic, basilic, and median antebrachial veins.[4]
Minute quantities of blood may be taken by fingerstick sampling and collected from infants by means of a heelprick or from scalp veins with a winged infusion needle.
Phlebotomy (incision into a vein) is also the treatment of certain diseases such as hemochromatosis and primary and secondary polycythemia.
^ abHiggins, Dan (28 September 2004). "Venepuncture". Nursing Times. 100 (39): 30–1. PMID 15500234. Archived from the original on Jan 2, 2020.
^Dg, Dayyal (22 May 2018). "Procedures for the collection of blood for hemotological investigations". BioScience Pakistan. ISSN 2521-5760. Archived from the original on Sep 18, 2020.
^Lavery, I; Ingram, P (August 2005). "Venepuncture: Best Practice". Nurs Stand. 19 (49): 55–65. doi:10.7748/ns2005.08.19.49.55.c3936. PMID 16134421.
^Ialongo, Cristiano; Bernardini, Sergio (2016-02-15). "Phlebotomy, a bridge between laboratory and patient". Biochemia Medica. 26 (1): 17–33. doi:10.11613/BM.2016.002. ISSN 1330-0962. PMC 4783087. PMID 26981016.
In medicine, venipuncture or venepuncture is the process of obtaining intravenous access for the purpose of venous blood sampling (also called phlebotomy)...
known as "butterfly" or "scalp vein" set—is a device specialized for venipuncture: i.e. for accessing a superficial vein or artery for either intravenous...
count. Blood tests are also used in drug tests to detect drug abuse. A venipuncture is useful as it is a minimally invasive way to obtain cells and extracellular...
superficial veins in the forearm, the basilic vein is an acceptable site for venipuncture. Nevertheless, IV nurses sometimes refer to the basilic vein as the "virgin...
connects the cephalic vein and the basilic vein. It is routinely used for venipuncture (taking blood) and as a site for an intravenous cannula. This is due...
required two venipunctures as "continuous" means the blood is collected, spun, and returned simultaneously. Newer systems can use a single venipuncture by pooling...
for the purpose of drawing blood. The procedure itself is known as a venipuncture, which is also used for intravenous therapy. A person who performs a...
individuals are at risk for accidental injury to the ulnar artery during venipuncture. The bicipital aponeurosis is superficial to the brachial artery and...
screen, PAPP-A, and NT Cell-free fetal DNA From 10 wks 96–100% 0.3% A blood sample is taken from the mother by venipuncture and is sent for DNA analysis....
original on 2005-12-16. Retrieved 2006-02-01. "Blood collection: routine venipuncture and specimen handling". Archived from the original on 2006-01-29. Retrieved...
respectively) from venous whole blood samples which are taken from patients by venipuncture. The venous blood is taken to a laboratory (or blood bank), where trained...
recommended for the treatment of extravasation complications associated with venipuncture, steroids, and antibiotics. It has likewise been recommended for treatment...
been found to reduce infants' crying during painful procedures such as venipuncture. Some parents prefer the use of a pacifier to the child sucking their...
of arterial blood gas tests. Venous blood is obtained for lab work by venipuncture (also called phlebotomy), or by finger prick for small quantities. The...
sampling, such as radial artery puncture Venous blood sampling, also called venipuncture Lumbar puncture to sample cerebrospinal fluid Paracentesis to sample...
and the basilic vein. These veins can be used for cannularisation or venipuncture, although the cubital fossa is a preferred site for getting blood. The...
newborn babies undergoing some medical procedures (a lancing of the heel, venipuncture, and intramuscular injections). Sugar does not remove pain from circumcision...
a handheld instrument used for bloodletting. This name for handheld venipuncture devices first appears in Anglo-Saxon manuscripts around 1000. The name...
local anaesthetic (such as EMLA or Ametop) to the skin of the chosen venipuncture area about 45 minutes beforehand.: 344–348 If the cannula is not inserted...
for this purpose is often arterial (even if it is more difficult than venipuncture), because lactate levels differ substantially between arterial and venous...
the inside of the animal's cheek with a sterile cotton swab or through venipuncture. The test determines whether the mutated copy of SOD1 is present in the...
stop or prevent bleeding from minor punctures such as injections or venipuncture. They may be secured in place with tape. Cotton pads are also used in...
leading cause of bacteremia. Blood cultures are typically drawn through venipuncture. Collecting the sample from an intravenous line is not recommended, as...
founded in 1946 by Pietro Catelli as a commercial business specialised in venipuncture and medication, and is still active today in the distribution of healthcare...
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