A common piece of equipment used by phlebotomists are butterfly needles, also known as a winged infusion set. This type of needle is smaller in comparison to your average hub and needle in terms of overall size and its gauges.
Each healthcare facility a phlebotomist may work at can have varying views on the practicality of the use of butterfly needles. Some facilities believe that butterflies are necessary in instances where a phlebotomist is facing difficult veins, while some believe butterflies are beneficial in every blood draw; other facilities may not view winged infusion sets as valuable at all.
As you delve deeper into the phlebotomy field, you may notice that each hospital, clinic, and healthcare industry have a different set of guidelines for butterfly needle use. These guidelines may vary from support of absolute use of butterflies, occasional or minimal use, or no permitted use.
Most providers regulate that their phlebotomists utilize the butterfly needle when necessary, such as when they are conducting bloodwork on patients whose veins may be difficult to draw blood from. Common patients who may have superficial veins and often require the use of a butterfly include infants, children, the elderly, and any individuals who may have a history of delicate veins. These client’s veins may be hard to find or thinner overall. Some veins are prone to “roll” which complicates a phlebotomists’ practices. While acknowledging different vein types, it is important for phlebotomists to recognize when they should take more precaution and be delicate when handling such veins, hence the use of the butterfly needle.
According to these facilities, butterflies may also be occasionally used for intravenous (IV) medications. A common IV medication that is administered through butterfly needles is insulin. This needle is smaller and thinner than a traditional IC catheter and is better, due to its smaller gauge sizes, ranging from 18-27 on average.
Other healthcare providers, however, may only use butterfly needles. These phlebotomists understand the benefits they bring to people who may need them and how they may apply to the greater population. Such phlebotomists may attest to the needle’s merits and how it tends to reduce the risks for profuse bleeding, nerve injury, or vein collapses when the needle is removed due to its size.
Though there have been various demonstrations that butterfly needles are convenient to phlebotomists when conducting blood work or administering IV medications, some facilities still don’t permit any use of butterfly needles. Such providers often attest that traditional needles match the quality of butterflies and that their phlebotomists are exceptional in their capabilities. This logic may be flawed, however, as it is not the quality of the phlebotomist that fully determines the success of needlework but is impacted by the needle type as well.
Butterfly needles are often widely accepted in the medical industry and provide a sense of ease to phlebotomists around the globe. With winged infusion sets, phlebotomists can easily see when the needle is properly inside the patient’s vein. Once inserted correctly, they immediately see the barrel of the needle filling with blood. This quick and efficient process is known as a “flash” because the blood flow can be seen almost instantaneously through the needle’s clear tubing.
In addition, butterflies must be equipped with safety locks, making the process easier on the phlebotomist. Some locks are simple to use, whereas some may require more training to fully comprehend.
Though butterfly needles bring lots of advantages into the phlebotomy field, it also has some hindrances. Butterflies have the highest rate of accidental needle sticks.
If done incorrectly, there is an increased potential for a need for a second draw. This can cause discomfort and irritability among patients. In addition, if the needle is not removed carefully, the vein is at risk for damage.
Facilities’ major concern about persistent butterfly needle use is its accumulated costs. Butterflies can cost more than 2.5 times the cost of a traditional hub and needle. When comparing individual costs of the two needle types, it may be a difference of a few dollars. With consistent use of a butterfly needle over a traditional needle, however, expenses add up and the differences are substantial.
Butterfly needle technology continues to evolve. For example, BD recently announced the BD Vacutainer® UltraTouch™, which purports to enable phlebotomists to use a smaller needle to perform regular blood draws, maximizing patient comfort while reducing the risk of hemolysis.
As you go through phlebotomy school and careers, your opinions on butterfly needle use may vary. At the end of the day, the use of a butterfly depends on the type of blood work phlebotomists conduct, the institution you work for, and how costly it may be.
Regardless, PhlebotomyU provides in-depth training to all of our students on various needle types and safety locks to affirm our students’ comfort level in managing differing needle types, from butterflies to standard needles with bigger gauges. Contact PhlebotomyU today with your questions about how to start your career in phlebotomy.