Collecting Multiple Specimens From A Single Venipuncture; Areas To Avoid When Drawing Venous Specimens - QBC Diagnostics Star Operators & Service Manual

c As the blood begins to fl ow into the tube, release the tourniquet and open the patient's fi st to
avoid bleeding at the puncture site.
d Keep constant, forward pressure on the tube to prevent the shutoff valve from closing and
stopping the fl ow of blood.
e Allow tubes containing an anticoagulant to fi ll until the vacuum is exhausted and blood fl ow
ceases, assuring the correct ratio of blood to anticoagulant.
f If a blood sample cannot be obtained, change the position of the needle. If the needle has
penetrated too far into the vein, pull it back a bit. If it has not penetrated far enough, move it
further into the vein, but do not probe with the needle. You may need to try another tube.
g Remove the tube from the needle adapter when the blood stops fl owing. The automatic shut-
off valve will stop any blood from fl owing into the adapter. If necessary, insert other tubes in
the proper order and repeat the collection procedure.
h Gently remove the needle from the venipuncture site. Apply sterile gauze to the site, while
keeping the arm extended. Keep pressure on the site for at least 2 minutes. Ensure that bleed-
ing has stopped, and apply a bandage over the site. Instruct the patient to wear the bandage
for at least 15 minutes.
i Gently invert any tube(s) containing anticoagulant or clot activators, as in SST Brand tubes, fi ve
to ten times to mix the blood with the additive. Do not shake the tube vigorously, because this
will damage the blood cells and possibly lead to erroneous test results.
9 Dispose of needle(s) in a sharps container. Dispose of gloves and gauze in an appropriate biological
hazard container. Wash hands.

Collecting Multiple Specimens from a Single Venipuncture

When drawing more than one tube of blood from a single venipuncture using evacuated tubes with various
additives, use the tubes in the following order:
• Blood culture
• Red Stopper or Red/Gray (SST Brand) tube
• Blue Stopper
• Green Stopper
• Lavender Stopper
• Gray Stopper

Areas to Avoid When Drawing Venous Specimens

• Scarred areas, such as healed burns.
• Thrombosed veins. These veins feel thick and cord-like and tend to roll.
• Bruised areas. If you cannot avoid collecting from a bruise site, then draw the specimen from the
site farthest away from the bruised area.
• The arm on the side of a prior mastectomy. Because this surgery results in lymphostasis, specimen
collection may be diffi cult.
• The arm that has the A-V shunt in a dialysis patient.
• A recent IV site, or the same side of the body as the IV site.
L–000867(A)
E – Blood Collection and Handling
E–3