Generalizability and Effectiveness of Butterfly Phlebotomy in Reducing Hemolysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The objective was to test the hypothesis that exclusive use of butterfly needles for phlebotomy, compared with sample collection via intravenous (IV) catheter, will reduce rates of sample hemolysis.

METHODS:

This was an observational study of hemolysis rates before and after implementation of a "butterfly-only" phlebotomy protocol. Weekly hemolysis rates, generated by the central laboratory, were collected and the proportion of hemolyzed specimens before and after protocol implementation were compared.

RESULTS:

Prior to institution of the butterfly-only protocol, 11.3% of specimens sent from the emergency department were reported as hemolyzed. During the postintervention period, only 4.3% of specimens were hemolyzed for a proportionate decrease of 62% and an absolute decrease of 7.0% (95% confidence interval = 6.6% to 7.3%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Use of a butterfly-only phlebotomy protocol cuts hemolysis rates by more than half when compared with IV catheter phlebotomy.

• Authors: Douglas P Barnaby, Andrew Wollowitz, Deborah White, Scott Pearlman, Michelle Davitt, Laura Holihan, Polly Bijur, E John Gallagher
• Journal: Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (Acad Emerg Med) Vol. 23 Issue 2 Pg. 204-7 (Feb 2016) ISSN: 1553-2712 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26766429 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2016 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

Topics

• Animals
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Hemolysis (physiology)
• Humans
• Needles
• Phlebotomy (instrumentation)