Capillary blood draws in the NICU: The use of the innovac quick-draw whole blood collection system versus traditional capillary blood draws

Abstract

Purpose: (1) To determine the rate of damaged and discarded capillary blood draws in the NICU; (2) to compare the rate of damaged and discarded samples between traditional capillary blood draws and the Innovac Quick-Draw device; (3) to determine whether in-service training for nurses on capillary blood draws decreased the rate of damaged and discarded blood samples. Design: During Phase I of the study, the rate of capillary blood draws by the traditional method was determined. At the completion of Phase I, the manufacturer provided in-service training to senior nurses in the NICU with the use of the Innovac Quick-Draw device. Additional in-service training was also provided for the traditional capillary blood draw technique. Within a month of in-service training, an openly randomized study (Phase II) was carried out comparing traditional versus Innovac device capillary blood draws. © 2011 Springer PublishingCompany.