title: Venepuncture: best practice.
abstract: Venepuncture is the introduction of a needle into a vein to obtain a blood sample for haematological, biochemical or bacteriological analysis. It is the most common invasive procedure undertaken in hospital. This article provides guidance on the theory and practice of venepuncture.
authors.affiliation: Western General Hospital. irene.lavery@luht.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lavery
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ingram
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom