Which is the most correct method for performing a capillary puncture?
Intended audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for laboratory personnel, phlebotomists, and other healthcare personnel who perform dermal punctures for capillary blood collection or point-of-care testing. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science and phlebotomy students. Show Author information: Mary Ertl Dettmann, MA, CLS, MT(ASCP) is the education supervisor for Wheaton Franciscan Laboratory in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. She has created several interactive, adult-learning courses in laboratory-related subjects including phlebotomy. Author Information: Beth Kratzer, CLS, MT(ASCP) is a Clinical Trainer in the Education Department at Wheaton Franciscan Laboratories in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire in 1981 and obtained a Certificate of Professional Training from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004. In addition to many years of technical experience in the hospital environment, Beth has been involved in the creation, implementation, and facilitation of educational and training programs for healthcare associates since 2001. Reviewer information: Carolyn Webb, MT(ASCP) is the CLS-Lead for the Wheaton Franciscan Central Laboratory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is responsible for reviewing and revising policies and procedures in hematology, urinalysis, and coagulation and is the primary instructor for all new employees in these areas. She previously held the position of Point-of-Care Coordinator. Ms. Webb graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Medical Technology. Reviewer Information: Alexandru Casapu, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, has over 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. He is the former Director of Clinical Laboratory Technology Program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. He is currently a Program Director at MediaLab, Inc. Alexandru holds BS degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of Georgia. LTD: Performing a Capillary Puncture Version 7 Performing a Capillary Puncture General Guidelines for a Capillary Puncture: Capillary punctures are ideal for small children when only a small volume of blood is needed. They are also advantageous in certain adult populations, such as: those with severe burns, obese patients, those with thrombotic tendencies, and for point-of-care testing when a small volume of blood is needed. Capillary puncture should not be used on patients who are extremely dehydrated or have poor peripheral circulation. Areas of fingers and heels that are cold, swollen, scarred or covered with a rash should be avoided. A warm compress or heel warmer should be used to warm fingers and heels that are cold, or if a capillary blood gas is being drawn, to increase the circulation of blood to the area. All approved lancets utilized at Akron Children’s are for single use and feature automatic retraction of the blade. Heel punctures are performed on infants less than 6 months of age, or on older premature infants who are the approximate size of a full-term 6 month old. For children over 6 months and adults, the finger is punctured. It may be necessary, on occasion, to perform a capillary puncture on the toe of a patient who is severely burned. Follow the same procedure as for performing a finger capillary puncture. Order of Draw for a Capillary Puncture: Proper collection of tubes when performing a capillary puncture is as follows: 1. Gas tubes (must warm the site before collecting the specimen) 2. Slides 3. EDTA - purple top tube 4. Heparin – light or dark green top tube 5. Serum – red top or amber tube with red top Procedure for Capillary Puncture of the Finger: The best site for a finger puncture is just off the center of the finger pad of the 3rd (middle) or 4th (ring) finger of the hand. The sides and the tip of the finger should be avoided. Select the proper approved lancet: The BD Microtainer Contact-Activated Lancet 1.5 mm (lavender) is used for glucometers and the BD Microtainer Contact-Activated Lancet 2.0 mm (blue) is used any time you need more than a drop or two of blood. Prepare the finger by cleaning it with a Chlorhexadine wipe. Allow it to air dry. Grasp the finger, and using a sterile lancet, press firmly against the finger to make a puncture. The first drop contains excess tissue fluid and must be wiped away. Collect the drops of blood into the collection device by gently massaging the finger. Avoid excessive pressure that may squeeze tissue fluid into the drop of blood or cause bruising. When full, cap and then gently invert the collection device 5-10 times to mix the blood. Hold a gauze pad over the puncture site for a short time to stop the bleeding. Dispose of the contaminated materials and lancet in the appropriate waste containers. Place a band-aid on the patient’s finger or have someone continue to hold gauze on the finger. (See “Use of Band-Aids in the Post Phlebotomy policy.) Label the specimens before leaving the patient’s bedside. Procedure for Capillary Puncture of the Heel: A heel puncture is performed on the lateral or medial plantar surface of the foot. The area of the arch should be avoided, as should the posterior curvature of the heel; a puncture in these areas could cause injury to the underlying bone. All babies in the neonatal unit must be warmed before performing a puncture. Begin by selecting the proper, approved lancet, such as: BD Microtainer Quikheel Lancet, 2.5 mm for full-term babies (green) BD Microtainer Quickheel Preemie Lancet, 1.75 mm for neonatal babies (purple) Unistick2 Neonatal 18G, 1.2mm Lancet for neonatal babies less than 1000g (blue) Prepare the heel by cleaning it with a Chlorhexadine wipe. Allow it to air dry. Grasp the foot, and using a sterile lancet, press firmly against the heel to make a puncture. The first drop contains excess tissue fluid and must be wiped away. Collect the drops of blood into the collection device by gently squeezing the foot. Avoid excessive pressure that may squeeze tissue fluid into the drop of blood or cause bruising. When full, cap and then gently invert the collection device 5-10 times to mix the blood. Hold a gauze pad over the puncture site for a couple of minutes to stop the bleeding, and then tie gauze around the foot. (See “Use of Band-Aids in this policy.) The chlorhexidine is a concern for the premature babies in NICU as it can be absorbed through the skin. For all NICU babies, once you have collected the blood, wipe off the area with a sterile saline wipe, to remove the chlorhexidine residue before tying a piece of gauze around the foot. Dispose of the contaminated materials and lancet in the appropriate waste containers. Label the specimens before leaving the patient’s bedside. References Ernst, Dennis J. “Pediatric Pointers.” Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc. 2004-2008, edited for accuracy 1/08. Ernst, Dennis J. and Catherine Ernst. “Mastering Pediatric Phlebotomy.” Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc. Adapted from Phlebotomy for Nurses and Nursing Personnel. HealthStar Press, Inc. 2001, updated 1/08. Kiechle, Frederick L. So You’re Going to Collect a Blood Specimen: An Introduction to Phlebotomy, 11th Edition. Northfield, IL: College of American Pathologists, 2005. NCCLS. Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Diagnostic Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard—Sixth Edition. CLSI document H04-A6. Wayne, PA: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; 2008. Proper Handling of an Uncooperative Patient in an Outpatient Setting – Akron Children’s Hospital When performing capillary draws what is the correct order of draw?The order of draw is based on CLSI Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard - Sixth Edition, September 2008. This standard recommends that EDTA tubes be drawn first to ensure good quality specimen, followed by other additive tubes and finally, serum specimen tubes.
Which of the following is a preferred capillary puncture site?In order to collect blood with a capillary tube, the appropriate site must be cleaned and punctured with a lancet so that a drop of blood can be gently expressed. But what is an appropriate site? Finger - Usually the third or fourth finger is preferred in adults and children.
In which situation is capillary puncture the best method to obtain a specimen?CAPILLARY PUNCTURE. Capillary puncture may be used for obtaining specimens in infants or in adults where. venipuncture is difficult.. Specimens from infants under the age of 6 months are typically collected by heelstick. ... . Capillary specimens are collected in microtainers with colored caps that are used to.. Which of the following is the proper technique for performing a venipuncture?Perform the venipuncture.. Position the holder and needle in the direction of the vein and parallel to it.. Needle bevel should be facing up with the needle at a 15-30 degree angle.. Place the tube in the holder.. Enter the vein in a smooth quick motion.. |