What Veni Puncture Is and How It Relates to Phlebotomy
Venipuncture is the process in which blood is drawn from the vein through the needle. Mostly used for laboratory test samples, to remove extra red blood cells and treat blood disorders.
There are various ways blood is drawn from the body, which include:
Venipuncture Sampling
This is one of the most common ways to collect blood from adults. The sample is collected from a prominent vein in the arm, ensuring that large veins do not surround it. This is done to avoid discomfort and pain for the patient.
Venipuncture is usually carried out in the medical facility. However, since the development of mobile blood labs, mobile phlebotomists are also performing blood draws. Therefore, home blood draw services are convenient, efficient, and affordable at the same time.
The Process
Blood draws are usually performed with the patient in a reclining chair; a phlebotomist can do this at home or the lab. Mobile phlebotomists then check for the best vein, wrapping a band around the upper to make the veins more visible. Blood is then drawn from the arm through to the needle. A small pinch is usually felt when the needle goes into the arm, but it only hurts for a few seconds. Finally, the needle is attached to a test tube or bag which collects the blood.
Sometimes more than one tube of blood may be filled depending on the number of tests the doctor has prescribed. On average, blood draws take approximately 5-10 minutes per patient.
When the required amount has been collected, the mobile phlebotomist will take the needle out, remove the band, and apply cotton gauze or a band-aid to the area.
There are two other methods that blood may be drawn through. Let’s review these as well.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy
Blood is drawn from the vein through different methods. One of them is venipuncture. Then, the blood is sent to the laboratory for testing. However, sometimes the blood is drawn as a treatment. Referred to as therapeutic phlebotomy, it can treat certain medical conditions, remove extra blood cells, balance iron levels, and discard unusually shaped red blood cells. It’s prescribed for sickle cell disease, fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic), and hemochromatosis.
Samples From Fingers and Heels
Blood can be drawn from the fingers and heels in special circumstances. These blood draws can extract only a very small amount of blood and is recommended for newborns and older people. However, blood draws cause stress and anxiety; therefore, finger and heel sticks are ideal for anxious patients.
The benefits include less blood loss, as some patients might face dizziness and nausea from regular blood draws.
Blood draws are necessary for everyone, and mobile blood draws services have made them more convenient. Recognizing this gap in the market, Phlebotomy On Wheels in MD provides in-home blood draw services for the convenience of patients of all ages. Give us a call today to find out more about our services.