A butterfly needle is shaped like a butterfly. It has a pointed needle that is attached to two plastic pieces that give it its shape of a butterfly. The needle is easy to use and makes it easier to find a vein that may tend to roll away. They are easy to insert and remove from just about anyone’s arm.
Butterfly needles are an ideal innovation in the phlebotomist’s books. They make it far easier to draw blood samples and prepare them for processing. Longer needles are available as are larger needles however, they often hurt more and will cause younger patients more pain. As it is obvious now that phlebotomists are in high demand, butterfly needles’ demand is also increased now.
Most hospitals and clinics will use a butterfly needle. If for some reason it doesn’t work they will utilize a different style of a needle for the blood draw. Not everyone likes butterfly needles. Some feel that they are too short or that they don’t hit the vein as accurately.
Still, others prefer that a butterfly needle be used to ensure that the blood draw is as painless as possible. One of the main advantages of a smaller needle like the butterfly is that it can make it far easier to be accurate and not “blow the vein” when drawing blood.
Simply insert the needle and gently poke the vein and you’re going to have accurate results. When the action is complete remove the needle from the skin, slide the locking louver into place and dispose of the needle according to the facility’s protocol for used needles.
Another benefit is that thanks to the length of tubing attached to the butterfly needle it will tolerate more patient movement and thus deliver accurate blood draw with minimal pain inflicted on the patient.
Butterfly needles also are referred to as a “winged infusion set”, or as a “scalp vein set”. Ideal for infants and younger children as well as for patients who have rolling veins. Different lab personnel will have their favorite type of needles however, for the most part, if you’re in for lab work, the lab tech will use a butterfly needle.
Butterfly needles are also sometimes used to deliver infusions and other medications directly into the vein. They’re often used to start an IV and work very well for such purposes. Interestingly enough, butterfly needles cost more to use than a regular type of needle.
However, they are the most popular type of needle used on the market today thanks to their ease of use and more accurate results. They are far less painful for blood draws, infusions, and other procedures that may require a needle. They do come in various gauge sizes including insulin sized needles.
Ideal for many purposes, many patients will actually ask for a butterfly needle to be used when they have to go in for lab work. Nursing staff and lab personnel are usually welcome to use the type of needle that the patient prefers to have used on them. It’s all a matter of personal preference and most are willing to do what it takes to keep patients comfortable.
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