Drawing Blood From an IV Line Without Hemolysis

Historically, phlebotomists drawing blood samples from an IV line have usually come away with specimens that were hemolyzed and rejection. Using proper technique may reduce the frequency of sample rejection, but it's self-limiting and not a lasting solution. In this video, your Personal Phlebotomy Guru discusses how to draw blood samples from peripheral IVs with devices designed for the task and cause far less hemolysis and rejection.

Featured in this video is a device called PIVO (Velano Vascular), which is changing the way blood is drawn from peripheral IVs. Facilities using the device are seeing higher-quality samples, subjecting patients to fewer venipunctures, and providing phlebotomists with an opportunity to enhance their skills and value to the healthcare team.

Time Code:
0:00---Intro
0:44---Where hemolysis from line draws is highest
1:09---Why emergency departments have such high hemolysis rates
1:21---Why draws from IVs are so often hemolyzed
1:47---3 tips to reducing hemolysis from line draws
3:33---Why changing techniques is not a permanent solution
4:12---Technology solves the problem
4:47---"One-stick hospitalization"
5:20---How technology is making phlebotomists more valuable
5:35---Is a saline flush a medication or a device?

Some images in this video sourced from Shutterstock.com.
Animation is courtesy of Velano Vascular and protected by copyright.
Disclosure: This is not a paid endorsement. Because of the promise of PIVO to improve the patient experience, the quality of blood samples drawn from IV devices, Dennis J. Ernst produced this video to educate the healthcare industry on a solution to a problem that has been an impediment to delivering quality patient care for decades. It's also why he is proud to serve as an advisor to Velano Vascular.