What gauge size is appropriate to use when drawing blood from a hand with a winged infusion set?

The appropriate gauge size when using a winged infusion set for drawing blood from a hand is the 23 gauge. This gauge size strikes a balance between being large enough to facilitate a smooth blood flow while being small enough to minimize discomfort for the patient, particularly in smaller veins found in the hands.

Winged infusion sets, often referred to as "butterfly" needles, are particularly well-suited for accessing superficial veins, which are more common in the hands. The 23 gauge is a good choice because it provides enough lumen size to prevent hemolysis during the draw, thereby ensuring a higher quality sample for testing.

In more general practice, choosing the right gauge is crucial to account for the vein size and patient comfort. A smaller gauge, like 25 or 27, may increase the risk of occlusion and make the procedure more difficult, especially given the more delicate nature of hand veins. Conversely, a larger gauge like 21 may be more suitable for larger veins, but could also lead to more trauma and discomfort in smaller veins. Hence, the 23 gauge is recommended for this context to optimize both the patient experience and the quality of the sample collected.