Dispose needle and contaminated equipment in designated containers.
Remove PPE. Wash hands.
Label tubes at the patient’s bedside. Send the specimens with the requisition to the laboratory according to facility’s policy.
Troubleshooting, Points to Remember:
Rolling veins: It is not unusual for the vein to move under the skin during the venipuncture. Especially for the elderly and patients with poor muscle tone. Anchor the vein securely by applying pressure directly to the vein below the needle insertion site.
Blood is not flowing into the tube: It may be due to incomplete venipuncture. Means, the needle did not puncture the vein completely. Bigger veins have thicker tunica media and it needs slightly higher angle. Adjust the angle of the needle slightly higher and move it slightly forward.
Blood stopped flowing: It could be due to a defective tube. Use another collection tube.
Change the position of the needle by slightly moving it backward to ensure needle tip is in the vein lumen.
Adjust the angle: Bevel may be against the vein wall.
The walls of small fragile veins may collapse when the vacuum pressure in an evacuated tube is applied. If you are using a syringe and needle, pull the plunger slowly to avoid collapsing the vein walls.
If troubleshooting is unsuccessful, remove the needle. Apply pressure dressings at the venipuncture site and draw the blood from another site.
