title: Comparison of capillary blood sampling using an automated incision device with and without warming the heel.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: The Children's Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada, and School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janes
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinelli
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Landry
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downey
authors.forename: Bosco
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paes
mesh_terms: 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