Anyone a phlebotomist out there ? if so any tips on how to draw blood with a straight needle and which do you?

Question

prefer to use, a straight or a butterfly ? and why ?

Answer 1

I am a phlebotomist and I prefer the 22 guage needle.  Why.  Because it is a little smaller than the 21 so it doesn't look so big to the pt and it draws faster than the butterfly.  The butterfly is also a smaller guage so it can have a chance to clot.  The only time I use a butterfly is if the pt has small veins, a child, or elderly where the vein and skin tends to move (& the skin can also be tougher to make it difficult to poke and then moves the skin or vein) or if the request it because they have been tramatized by having their blood drawn from a previous experience.  If a butterfly makes them feel better then I have no problems using it.  Also butterflies are alot more expensive verses the regular needles.  The good quality butterflies cost about $80 per box so most lab compaines monitor how many you recieve.