2026-02-02 – Weekly Phlebotomy News : 25g butterfly needles in focus

Last week, our phlebotomy community delved into practical strategies and shared experiences that keep us at the forefront of our practice. Members discussed the merits of using 25g butterfly needles across various scenarios, while others exchanged ideas on optimizing portable kits for home visits. There was also a spirited conversation about the success of a recent block project and the next steps to sustain its momentum. Labeling efficiency sparked multiple threads, with discussions around mobile printing solutions and even a lighthearted take on a label printer’s quirks.


This Week’s Hot Topics

25g butterflies for everything
Members are weighing in on the pros and cons of using 25g butterfly needles for all types of patients. It’s an interesting look at needle choice impacting both technique and patient comfort.
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Portable kit tweaks for home draws
Phlebotomists are sharing their best tips for refining portable kits to make home draws smoother and more efficient. It’s full of practical advice from those in the field.
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Our block project worked; now what
A successful block project has left members pondering the next steps and how to replicate its success in other areas. The discussion is both reflective and forward-thinking.
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Faster on-the-go label printing
If you’re looking to speed up your label printing process, this thread covers some innovative solutions that might just save you time and hassle.
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My label printer has jokes
A lighter thread where members share the unexpected humor found in their label printers’ quirks, providing a needed chuckle in our daily routines.
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Cutting 30% on the second pass
This discussion explores techniques to improve efficiency by reducing the need for a second pass by 30%, offering practical insights into workflow optimization.
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Vein vanishing act at dawn
Members are tackling the challenge of elusive veins, especially under low-light conditions, sharing strategies that have worked for them.
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Mobile label printers that actually work
An engaging review of mobile label printers that deliver on their promises, providing real-world feedback from those who’ve tested them in the field.
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Thanks for catching up with us this week. Let’s keep the conversations going and continue supporting each other in our journey through the phlebotomy field.

25g butterflies have been great for our home geriatrics — if the draw starts moving like molasses on a CMP, I swap to a 23g and use a pediatric tube with ‘low angle, low vacuum’ to cut hemolysis, @Kim. I also toss a disposable hand warmer in the kit to pre-warm the site for 2–3 minutes; anyone else doing that?

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Had a run of underfilled blue tops with 25g butterflies until I started using a small discard tube to clear the “dead space” first — problem solved and fewer flags… For shaky home draws, I loosely loop and tape the tubing so it doesn’t torque the site; if flow still crawls, I swap to a shorter line before jumping to 23g, @NoraJ.

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I’ve found that 25g needles fit perfectly for the little ones — less pain and more smiles! Just keep an eye on tube fill levels.

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