Comparison of capillary blood sampling using an automated incision device with and without warming the heel.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if heel warming prior to heelstick increases the volume of blood collected compared to no warming.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial involving 100 preterm and term infants requiring capillary blood sampling (CBS), randomized to receive warming (Control) (n=50) or nonwarming (Experimental) (n=50).


RESULTS
This sample of infants showed no benefit of warming the heel prior to CBS. Volume of blood, collection time, crying time, and repeat procedures were not different between groups. More infants in the Control group received squeezing during the procedure compared to the Experimental group.


CONCLUSIONS
Heel warming prior to CBS may be an unnecessary technique in preterm and term infants that expends nursing time and hospital financial cost.
Janes
Marianne
M
The Children's Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada, and School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Pinelli
Janet
J
Landry
Shannon
S
Downey
Susan
S
Paes
Bosco
B
D001331:Automation; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002196:Capillaries / Q000737:chemistry*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006361:Heating; D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity