Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Use of a Hanging-weight System for Isolated Renal Artery Occlusion
07:54

Use of a Hanging-weight System for Isolated Renal Artery Occlusion

Published on: July 19, 2011

Determining optimal waste volume from an intravenous catheter

Rachel B Baker1, Suzanne S Summer, Michelle Lawrence

  • 1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. rachel.baker@cchmc.org

Journal of Infusion Nursing : the Official Publication of the Infusion Nurses Society
|March 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Minimizing blood waste from intravenous (IV) catheters is crucial. This study found that 1 mL of waste is sufficient to obtain an undiluted blood sample, preventing unnecessary blood draw.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Blood sample collection via intravenous (IV) catheters requires discarding an initial volume, termed 'waste', to eliminate contaminants like saline or heparin.
  • Determining the optimal waste volume is essential to prevent unnecessary blood loss and ensure sample integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To ascertain the minimum waste volume required from an IV catheter to obtain an undiluted blood sample.
  • To establish evidence-based guidelines for IV blood draw waste volume.

Main Methods:

  • A repeated-measures design was employed with 60 healthy adult participants.
  • An IV catheter was inserted, and blood samples were collected at baseline and after discarding incremental waste volumes (0.5 mL to 3 mL).
  • A random effects mixed model analysis was utilized to identify the point at which the sample became undiluted.

Main Results:

  • The study identified 1 mL as the minimum waste volume necessary to achieve an undiluted blood sample.
  • This finding indicates a stabilizing point for sample purity after discarding 1 mL of initial draw.

Conclusions:

  • A waste volume of 1 mL is sufficient when drawing blood from an IV catheter to ensure sample accuracy.
  • Implementing this 1 mL waste guideline can reduce unnecessary blood discard in clinical practice.

More Related Videos

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava06:59

Image Acquisition Method for the Sonographic Assessment of the Inferior Vena Cava

Published on: January 13, 2023

Human In-Vivo Bioassay for the Tissue-Specific Measurement of Nociceptive and Inflammatory Mediators08:54

Human In-Vivo Bioassay for the Tissue-Specific Measurement of Nociceptive and Inflammatory Mediators

Published on: December 1, 2008

Related Concept Videos

One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Clearance00:56

One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Clearance

Clearance is a key pharmacokinetic parameter that quantifies the volume of body fluid from which a drug is entirely removed within a specific time frame. It is crucial in assessing how a drug is eliminated from the body and has critical clinical applications.
In the one-compartment open model for intravenous (IV) bolus administration, clearance is estimated by dividing the elimination rate by the plasma drug concentration. This equation leverages the elimination rate constant and the apparent...
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations01:15

Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations

Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, is commonly administered via intermittent intravenous infusion to treat severe infections. An intermittent one-hour infusion of gentamicin, administered at eight-hour intervals, allows for precise control of plasma drug concentrations, minimizing toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy. Pharmacokinetic principles govern the dynamics of plasma concentrations and can be mathematically described using specific equations.The plasma drug concentration...
One-Compartment Model: IV Infusion01:09

One-Compartment Model: IV Infusion

Intravenous (IV) infusion is often utilized when continuous and controlled drug delivery is necessary, such as during surgery or in the treatment of chronic diseases. This method offers numerous advantages, including immediate drug action, precise control over dosage, and bypassing the first-pass metabolism.
The one-compartment model for IV infusion uses mathematical equations to describe the rate of change in drug quantity in the body. At steady-state or infusion equilibrium, the drug input...
Two-Compartment Open Model: IV Infusion01:15

Two-Compartment Open Model: IV Infusion

A two-compartment model is a vital tool in pharmacokinetics, providing an essential understanding of drug behavior, especially for those administered via zero-order intravenous infusion. This model outlines two compartments: the central compartment, where elimination occurs, and the peripheral compartment.
The model illustrates the decrease in plasma drug concentration from the central compartment with a specific equation. It shows that under steady-state conditions, the drug's input rate...
One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Elimination Rate Constant, Half-Life and Volume of Distribution01:09

One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: Estimation of Elimination Rate Constant, Half-Life and Volume of Distribution

The one-compartment open model is a simplified approach used in pharmacokinetics to understand the distribution and elimination of a drug administered through an intravenous bolus. This model assumes rapid drug dispersal throughout the body and elimination using a first-order process. Key pharmacokinetic parameters, such as the elimination rate constant (k), half-life (t1/2), and the apparent volume of distribution (Vd), can be estimated from this model. The elimination rate is calculated from...
Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods01:19

Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods

A medication’s effectiveness largely depends on its appropriate dosage and the route of administration. Dosage ensures that a sufficient drug concentration is maintained in the bloodstream to elicit the desired therapeutic effect without causing toxicity. The route of administration affects the drug's bioavailability, rate of absorption, and onset of action, which are crucial for achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. Drug dosage calculations are critical to tailoring therapy to individual...