Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine a safe blood sample collection site for clinical investigations, in patients with an in situ intravenous line, which would minimize distress to the patient and provide accurate blood data. METHODS: An intravenous line was established in the left upper limb for administration of Solita T3G (84 mL/h). After 5 min of infusion, two nurses simultaneously collected venous blood samples (vacuum blood collection method) from a site on dorsum of the left hand located 15 cm distal to the site of fluid infusion (the peripheral side), and the cubital fossa of the contralateral upper limb (the opposite side). The results obtained from the blood samples of the contralateral side served as the standard reference. Testing of 41 blood-cell tests and biochemical parameters were outsourced to a specialized company. Between-group differences in test results for the two locations were assessed using the paired t-test, with a significance level of < 5%. RESULTS: No significant differences in mean values (± standard deviation) of blood parameters were observed between the distal site and the contralateral side. CONCLUSION: Blood samples collected from a venous site located 15 cm distal to the fluid-infusion site did not show any effect of fluid infusion on the results.