2025-11-17 – Weekly Phlebotomy News : Order of draw: data or tradition?

Last week, our forum saw an engaging mix of discussions, from practical advice on continuing education (CE) hours to the efficacy of vein finders during night shifts. Members shared their experiences with butterfly needle sets, debated the rationale behind the order of draw, and exchanged insights on efficient phlebotomy techniques. Career-related threads also gained traction, with lively conversations on how to start in phlebotomy and land that first job.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Need CE hours that actually help
There’s a lively discussion on finding CE courses that provide real value. Members are exchanging tips on programs that enhance skills rather than just check a box.
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Vein finder worth it on nights
Could a vein finder revolutionize your night shifts? Some say it’s a game-changer, while others weigh in on its practicality.
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Butterfly sets that don’t fight you
Find out which butterfly needle sets phlebotomists trust the most. This thread is full of personal reviews and recommendations.
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Fastest route from hello to bandage
Efficiency is key in phlebotomy. This thread explores techniques that streamline the process without compromising patient care.
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Is order of draw based on data or tradition
A thought-provoking debate on whether the order of draw is rooted in evidence or habit. It’s a must-read for anyone curious about best practices.
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FAQ/Guidelines
A helpful resource for navigating the forum effectively and making the most of your interactions here.
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Admin Guide: Getting Started
New to the forum? This guide is your starting point to get familiar with all the features and community norms.
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Jump into Phlebotomy
A motivational thread for those considering a career in phlebotomy, filled with personal stories and advice.
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Considering a Career in Phlebotomy? Here’s What You Need to Know!
If you’re on the fence about a phlebotomy career, this thread breaks down the essentials, from training to job expectations.
Read more here

How Did You Get Your First Phlebotomy Job?
An insightful collection of first-job stories from seasoned phlebotomists, offering advice and encouragement for newcomers.
Read more here


Thank you for staying connected with our community. Whether you’re here for advice, sharing your journey, or just reading along, your participation enriches our discussions.

On night shifts with butterflies, I always pop a small discard tube before the blue top — it’s cut our citrate underfills and repeat draws. If supplies are tight, I’ll use a plain red as the discard instead of another citrate, per our policy. Anyone else tracking hemolysis or recollect rates to see if tweaks to the ‘order of draw’ make a difference?

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CLSI GP41 still backs the classic order to limit additive carryover — EDTA is lab glitter — so I keep lavender last and only use a discard before the blue top when I’m on a winged set: https://clsi.org/standards/products/collection-preanalytical/documents/gp41/. Quick step for proof over tradition: run a one‑week audit of K+/Ca outliers on mixed‑tube draws before and after reinforcing order; @summitvector29, low‑vac blue tops have cut our underfills on nights.

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I track EDTA carryover via unexpected K+ spikes; data > tradition. Butterflies complicate it — anyone logging night-shift ‘vein finders’ impact?

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We ran a quick carryover check — lavender first on a few volunteers, then serum — and watched for K/Mg bumps above the method LoD; no signal with our current lots, so we shifted training to consistent inversions instead of arguing sequence (EDTA can sneak like confetti). Caveat: change tube or analyzer lots and revalidate, and keep citrate draws buffered with a small discard when using winged sets. @avahol98, if “data > tradition,” could you tag vein-finder use in the LIS to see if it tracks with underfills or hemolysis?

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Quick audit idea: pair K/Ca deltas by phlebotomist, flag EDTA patterns; filter hemolysis index first — I’ve caught two. @Riley thoughts?

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