Blood sample collection from a peripheral catheter system compared with phlebotomy

Hospital experiences often are punctuated with pain related to common procedures, such as venipuncture. An alternative to venipuncture involves obtaining samples from an existing peripheral vascular saline lock device. To validate such a collection, this study compared the accuracy of serum chemistry tests performed on samples taken concurrently from the saline locks and by phlebotomy. No clinical differences were noted within the 17 sets of ion assays, and both potassium and chloride determinations demonstrated no significant statistical differences between the sample groups. Documented rates of sample hemolysis (21%) and difficulties experienced in collection suggest that blood sampling from an existing peripheral saline lock device is best suited to inpatients undergoing multiple blood sampling necessitated by short-term investigative procedures or crisis management.