Difference Between Straight Needles & Butterfly Needles
Needles contribute significantly to several medical treatments and procedures, especially in collecting blood and transferring medicines to veins. Various types of blood collection needles are available in the market, among which straight and butterfly are the two most commonly used. While both these needles serve the purpose efficiently, they differ in terms of advantages and use cases.
Therefore, let’s understand the basic difference between these needles.
Straight Needles: Meaning
Straight needles are popularly used to collect blood in several cases. It is pre-attached to the tube holder or a syringe. As a result, the blood easily flows into the container when the examiner withdraws the needle.
Moreover, these needles are available in several gauges to meet the varying needs of situations and patients. Some benefits of straight needles are:
- Good-quality blood samples
- Low chances of needlestick incidents
- Collection of multiple samples at once
- Reduces clotting risk
- Speeds up the collection process
- Costs relatively less
Butterfly Needles: Meaning
Winged-infusion blood collection systems, commonly known as butterfly needles, are another popular type of blood collection needle. These needles have plastic wings, which a phlebotomist generally holds while inserting the needle in the vein and thus the name butterfly.
Unlike a straight needle, a butterfly needle is shorter and is attached to the tube that joins the tube collector or syringe and the connector. However, similar to the straight needles, they are available in several gauges, including special ones for kids.
The shorter needle allows the phlebotomist to insert the needle at a shallow angle compared to the straight needle. It eases the process in several challenging and complex cases, especially while accessing fragile and small veins. Butterfly needles have their advantages, some of which are:
- Less scary for people fearing needles
- Reduce the risk of nerve injuries, over bleeding, and vein collapse
- Minimizes the patient’s discomfort
- Allows accessing superficial, small, and fragile veins easily
- Ideal to use for collecting blood in young children, babies, and elderly
- Allows easy access to veins in the scalp, wrist, and hands that are usually difficult to reach
When To Use Butterfly and Straight Needles
During their clinical training, phlebotomists are taught to use both needles according to the requirements and situations. In the majority of cases, straight needles work better when it comes to collecting blood samples effectively. On the contrary, butterfly needles are ideal for challenging situations like collecting blood from narrow, small, or fragile veins or taking samples of children as it eases the process both for the phlebotomist and the patient.
Considering both needles' benefits, choosing an appropriate one to collect blood safely, precisely, and effectively is essential. The correct needle will not only reduce the chances of discomfort but will also aid patients in staying at ease and relaxed. It is important to consider the patient’s age and vein location before choosing the needle that perfectly suits the situation.
Wrapping Up
Straight needles, along with their thin, long shafts and sharp tips, and butterfly needles, with their tiny wings, size, and adjustable tubing, serve several medical purposes with many benefits. However, selecting one of these depends on the test’s requirement and the patient’s condition, but one factor that remains constant while selection is quality. Therefore, it is essential to choose your blood collection needle supplier wisely.
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