Blood Collection Supplies: Safety Butterfly Sets, Tubes, Needles & Holders
Build a reliable venipuncture procedure from draw to transport with components that equal real procedure. This group contains blood collection sets (butterfly), needles & tube holders, Vacutainer-type tubes (SST/serum, K2 EDTA, lithium heparin, sodium citrate), lancets & microcollection, and sharps containers and biohazard transport bags. They are all single-use sterile items made to protect sample integrity and caregiver safety.
Blood Collection Sets (Butterfly)
Winged "butterfly" sets are employed for stable control of fine or difficult-to-access veins. Employ safety blood collection set 21G/23G with holder for multi-sample draws.
- Standard specifications: 12″ tubing; safety shield (retractable or hinged); color-coded wings.
- Use: pediatrics, geriatrics, small/rolling veins, infusion ports (per facility policy).
- Long-tail terms: butterfly 21G, safety blood collection set 23G with holder.
Needles & Holders
Employ multi-sample needles with clear tube holders for sequential tube draws without repuncture.
- Choices: shielded safety needles, routine needles in typical lengths (e.g., blood draw needle 21G 1″).
- Why: easy venous entry, quick tube exchange, reduced risk of hemolysis.
Blood Collection Tubes
Color-top tubes stabilize analytes for specific tests. Stock by panel:
- Vacutainer serum separator tubes (SST/gold) for chemistry and serology.
- K2 EDTA tubes (lavender) for CBC and hematology.
- Lithium heparin (green) for plasma chemistry.
- Citrate coagulation tubes (light blue) for PT/INR and coag studies.
- Long-tail products: vacutainer serum separator tubes sst, k2 edta blood collection tubes, citrate coagulation tubes blue top.
- Tips: respect fill volumes and inversion counts to avoid dilution or clotting errors.
Lancets & Microcollection
For pediatrics and capillary sampling, choose safety lancets 28G (and other gauges) and capillary microtainer tubes pediatric matched to the assay.
- Advantages: low volume, faster hemostasis, single-use safety designs.
Sharps & Specimen Transport
- Close the loop with compliant transport and disposal.
- Sharps containers by workflow size (e.g., phlebotomy station sharps container 5 qt).
- 6×9 biohazard specimen transport bag with document sleeve; choose seal types and temperature indicators based on route.
- Kit-filling accessories: tourniquet latex-free, alcohol prep pads, gauze, tape, labels.
