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In the emergency department, venous blood samples frequently are drawn using indwelling IV catheters instead of separate venipuncture, because the technique is easier for providers and more comfortable for patients. The accuracy of laboratory tests performed on such samples has not been rigorously studied. These authors compared laboratory test values of samples obtained by catheter aspiration and venipuncture.
A peripheral catheter was placed in one arm of each of 33 adult volunteers, and a 200-mL bolus of normal saline was administered through the catheter over 10 minutes. Three blood samples were obtained from each participant: a 12-mL sample was drawn directly from the catheter, another was drawn from the catheter after the "discard" of …