Equipment for routine venipuncture includes materials needed for the safe and efficient location of a vein and collection of a blood sample, plus equipment to ensure the safety and comfort of both the patient and the user. 

Most venipuncture procedures are performed with a double-ended multisample needle that delivers blood into an evacuated tube with a color-coded stopper. The stopper indicates the additives used in the tube. 

Learning what each color signifies, and in what order different-colored tubes should be drawn, is essential for a phlebotomist.

As a phlebotomist, your primary duty is to collect blood and prepare it for delivery to the lab. Your collection equipment includes the needles and tubes that allow you to collect a patient's blood, plus materials to ensure that a vein can be located, the puncture site is clean, and the sample is labeled and transported correctly.

ORGANIZING AND TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT:

Phlebotomists use a portable tray to carry all necessary equipment. You are responsible for making sure that your tray is clean, and organized at all times. 

You will encounter patients in two primary settings: 

inpatient and outpatient

Inpatients

Inpatients have been admitted to a hospital, and you usually draw their

blood at the bedside. A cart is sometimes used to transport large quantities of supplies when you are scheduled to collect samples from many patients,

but the cart should remain in the hospital corridor to reduce the risk of spreading infection from one patient to another.

Bring only the tray into the room. Once in the patient's room, do not place your tray on the patient's bed, where it could easily be overturned,

or on the patient's bedside table used for eating. Instead, place the tray on a flat, solid surface such as a nightstand. Always keep extra supplies within reach, however. You may need them during a draw; for instance, you may need to replace a tube while the needle is still in the patient's arm (which

can happen if you get a defective tube).

Outpaitients

Outpatients usually come to you at a phlebotomy drawing station in a clinic or hospital. The drawing station includes a special phlebotomy chair

with an adjustable armrest. The armrest locks to prevent the patient from falling out in the event of fainting. A bed may also be available for patients with a history of fainting . Supplies may be available at the drawing station, or you may need to bring your tray to it.

General Blood Collection Equipment and Supplies: 

Blood-Drawing Station

Table for supplies

Bed or Reclining chair 

Phlebotomy Tray

Venipuncture Equipment 

To draw blood, you first need to locate a vein. Applying a tourniquet is the most common way to do this.

Tourniquet:

Device applied or tied around patients arm to restrict blood flow 

Should restrict venous flow to inflate veins, but not arterial flow 

-Must common type: Stretchable disposable vynil straps 

Vein-Locating Devices:

Devices are available that shine a bright light through the patient's skin. When such a device is positioned properly, veins are visible as dark lines within the tissue. 

This works especially well for finding veins on pediatric patients. Transillumination shines high-intensity LED or infrared light and highlights veins in patients subcutaneous tissue