NEEDLE SYSTEM

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Syringe

easy to control

clotting in syringe

slower draw on fragile vein

hemolysis in syringe

"show" of blood in hub helpful for beginners

two hands necessary

quick way to draw blood cultures

needle sticks during transfer of blood to tube

 Vacutainer

very fast speed

high vacuum collapses vein

large number of tubes quickly

uncertainty of when needle has entered vein

large quantity of blood

loss of vacuum possible

one hand free at times

Butterfly

good for small, fragile veins

long tubing causes clotting

pediatric & geriatric patients

smaller bore causes hemolysis

"show" of blood in tubing

phlebotomists and patients become overly dependent

useful for hand & feet

veins not always available

one hand free at times

curling of tubing causes higher incidence of needle-sticks