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Venous Blood Sampling

Obtain blood sample by aseptic technique in order to reduce nosocomial infection.

Responsibility

Doctors and nursing staff.

  • Use caution in patients with coagulation disorder.
  • Differentiate between arteries and veins, and avoid the site that can be used for cannulation.

PROCEDURE

  • Required equipments before sampling:

    • Gloves
    • Spirit solution and povidone iodine solution
    • Needles gauge no. 21 or 23 and Syringes
    • Blood sample vials
    • Dry sterile cotton swab
    • Dextrose 10 % or Sucrose 25% solution
  • Identify the baby.

  • Wash hands. Put on the gloves.

  • In case of neonates, administer dextrose 10 % or sucrose 25% by a cotton wick orally for two minutes prior to procedure.

  • Identify a suitable vein, wipe the skin with spirit swab and allow the skin to dry.

  • Puncture the site by inserting a 21 or 23 gauge needle into the vessel, puncture should be done at 15 to 45 degree angle.

  • Collect the blood in the appropriate blood sample containers. For blood culture, collect the blood in sterile syringe and puncture the sterile container with the needle attached to syringe.

  • Withdraw the needle, and apply pressure over the puncture site until haemostasis occurs.

  • Destroy the needle and discard in blue or white waste container.

  • Wash hands and label the blood vial with the baby's name and registration number.

tip

Look out for complications like hematoma, infection, hemorrhage, needle injury to adjacent structures and pain.

References

  • Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing by Verklan and Walden, 3rd edition (2004)
  • Pratical Procedure for Newborn Nursery by Deoari, Paul et.al., 3rd edition (2010)
  • Comprehensive Neonatal Nursing Care by Kenner and Lott, 5 edition (2014).

Document Information

Current Version

Version: 2.0
Published: August 20, 2015
Revised by: Johanne M. E. Huurnink, Dr Chetan Meena
Contributors: Nurse Ajeeta George, JK Lone Hospital, SMS Medical College, Jaipur
Previous Versions: v1.0