Portex Saf-T Wing™ Blood Collection Set

Principle

The winged safety blood collection set (butterfly) consists of a 1/2- to 3/4-inch stainless steel needle connected to a 5- to 12-inch length of tubing. The winged collection set is packaged in a sterile bubble pack ready to be used with either a Luer lock or a Luer slip syringe. The winged collection set is an indispensable tool for collecting blood from small or difficult veins such as hand veins or veins of elderly or pediatric patients. In addition, the tubing allows much more flexibility and precision than a needle and syringe or needle and vacuum tube holder. The term "butterfly" refers to the shape of the wing-shaped plastic extensions used for gripping the needle to facilitate the venipuncture. Butterfly needles come in various sizes, with a 23 gauge being the one most commonly used in difficult phlebotomy situations. Using a needle with a bore smaller than a 23 gauge increases the chance of hemolyzing the specimen. The 21 gauge winged blood collection set offers flexibility for routine draws where blood cultures are to be collected below the level of the arm to prevent possible reflux of the bottle broth into the vein.

Equipment

1. Portex Saf-T Wing™ winged safety blood collection set
2. Equipment for veinipuncture using syringe method

Procedure

1. Remove the protective cap from tubing end and attach a syringe to the winged safety blood set
2. Follow Basic Venipuncture Procedure to identify patient and prepare venipuncture site.
3. Grasp the winged collection set using the wing-shaped plastic extensions to facilitate handling
4. Proceed with puncture and collection of blood
5. After collection is completed do not remove the needle from the vein until after activation of the safety
   1. One handed safety activation technique
      1. Gently place gauze over venipuncture site
      2. Using index finger, place gentle pressure on the finger stop
      3. With thumb and middle finger of the same hand, grasp the tubing behind the safety device
      4. Gently pull on the tubing until a ‘click’ is felt and/or heard ( this indicates that the needle is fully retracted and locked into the safety
      5. Note: do not grasp the wing body to slide toward the needle-pull tubing away from the needle
      6. Dispose of blood collection set in approved sharps disposal container
      7. Attach blood transfer device to syringe after removal of winged collection set and fill tubes
   2. Two handed safety activation technique
      1. Place index finger behind finger stop on top of the safety device
      2. With other hand grasp tubing and gently pull back until ‘click’ is felt and/or heard
      3. Apply gauze and pressure to venipuncture site
      4. Dispose of blood collection set in approved sharps disposal container
      5. Attach blood transfer device to syringe after removal of winged collection set and fill tubes
6. Apply appropriate post-phlebotomy care to venipuncture site

References

1. Portex Saf-T Wing ä Blood Collection Set package insert, © 2003 Portex Inc.
2. Garza,D. & Becan-McBride, K., Phlebotomy Handbook, Fifth Edition, 1999, Appleton & Lange
3. McCall, R.E. & Tankersley, C.M., Phlebotomy Essentials, Second Edition,Lippincott-Williams and Wilkins.

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