Abstract
Introduction
Hemolysis is more commonly seen in the emergency department and causes delays in diagnosis,
hospitalization, discharge, and treatment of patients. The aim of this study was to
determine the most appropriate phlebotomy method and device to reduce blood sample
hemolysis in the emergency department.
Methods
This prospective, comparative descriptive study involved patients who presented to
the emergency department with any medical condition and required blood sampling. Patients
were divided into 6 groups according to the method of phlebotomy and the device used
for phlebotomy. Data were analyzed with logistic regression.
Results
A total of 715 patients participated in the study. The blood sample hemolysis rate
in the emergency department was 25.7%. When the hemolysis rates were compared with
a steel straight needle or intravenous catheter, it was found that the use of steel
straight needle significantly reduced hemolysis. Blood drawing through a 20 G intravenous
catheter with Luer-Lock access device reduces the risk of hemolysis. Male sex and
difficult blood collection also have been shown to increase the risk of hemolysis.
Discussion
Blood should be drawn with a steel straight needle instead of an intravenous catheter.
However, when that is not possible, we recommend the use of a 20 G intravenous catheter
with Luer-Lock access device if a blood sample is to be drawn from intravenous line.
Key words
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Biography
Süleyman Ersoy is an Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5417-934X.
Biography
Bilal Ilanbey is an Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7614-281X.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 19, 2022
Identification
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© 2022 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
