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Preference for venepuncture site: should the patient be consulted?
Michelle A Golding1, Guy D Palmer, Garry J P Fleming
1South West London Community NHS Trust, Orchard Hill Health Centre, London.
Dental Update
|July 5, 2002
Summary
Patient preferences for venepuncture sites, like the hand or antecubital fossa, are not always met in practice. While patients may get their preferred site, it can increase the risk of venepuncture failure.
Area of Science:
- Medical Practice
- Patient Experience
- Phlebotomy Techniques
Background:
- Venepuncture is a common medical procedure.
- Patient satisfaction is increasingly important in healthcare.
- Understanding patient and operator preferences for venepuncture sites is crucial for improving the procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patient preferences for venepuncture sites.
- To compare patient and operator preferences for venous access.
- To determine if patient preferences are being met in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study was conducted.
- Investigated patients' past venepuncture experiences.
- Assessed patient and operator preferences for venepuncture sites.
Main Results:
- Both patients and operators preferred the dorsum of the hand or the antecubital fossa for venous access.
- Patients who preferred the dorsum of the hand were more likely to have venepuncture performed there.
- Venepuncture failure rates are higher at the dorsum of the hand compared to the antecubital fossa.
Conclusions:
- Patient preferences for venepuncture sites are not consistently met in clinical practice.
- Choosing the dorsum of the hand, while preferred by some patients, is associated with a higher risk of venepuncture failure.
- Clinical practice should consider both patient preference and the success rate of different venepuncture sites.