Although most blood specimens are drawn by laboratory technicians,nurses may be required to perform heelsticks to obtain blood for glucose monitoring or newborn screening.The most serious complication of an infant heelstick is necrotizing osteochondritis resulting from lancet penetration of the bone.To prevent this problem the stick should be made:

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The stick should be made at the outer aspect of the heel and should penetrate no deeper than 2.4 mm.Repeated trauma to the walking surface of the heel can cause fibrosis and scarring that can lead to problems with walking later in life.The ball of the foot is not an appropriate site for a heelstick.The area below the fifth toe is not the correct site for a heelstick.

Although Most Blood Specimens Are Drawn by Laboratory Technicians,nurses May