Authors' objectives: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, organisational and psychological/ social/ ethical issues of needleless Vacutainer system for blood collection.

Authors' results and conclusions: Effectiveness: Needle sticks injuries: There was limited fair level of retrievable evidence to suggest that Vacutainer blood collection system were effective in preventing needle stick injuries among HCW. Combination of Vacutainer tube with safety devices significantly decreased needle stick injuries compared to conventional devices with reduction rates between 38.7% and 81%. Sample Haemolysis: The evidence on sample haemolysis is inconclusive whereby one RCT reported a lower haemolysis rate of blood samples drawn from Vacutainer venepuncture compared to IV catheter (via syringe). On the other hand, two cross sectional studies reported that blood haemolysis was found to be higher in samples drawn with a Vacutainer system compared to a syringe-needle transfer system (haemolysis rate with Vacutainer: 35.8% to 77.0%). Safety: There was no retrievable evidence on the safety of needleless Vacutainer system for blood collection. The BD Vacutainer Systems had received 510(k) from US Food and Drug Administration. Organisational: Healthcare workers who are using needleless Vacutainer system need to be trained. Cost/ cost-effectiveness: There was no retrievable evidence on the cost-effectiveness. Psychological/ social/ ethical: There was limited fair level of retrievable evidence to suggest the preference and compliance of Vacutainer system among HCW. One study reported a slightly higher proportion of safety devices preference over conventional equipment while another study reported only 35.8% of HCW always used Vacutainer for blood sampling. Among the reason cited for not using Vacutainer were difficult venous access and the absence of a flashback.

Authors' recommendations: Based on this review, Vacutainer system in combination with safety devices may be used for blood collection especially among the high risk group.

Authors' identified further research: Further research on cost-effectiveness is needed.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view/30?mid=609

Year Published: 2020

URL for published report: https://www.moh.gov.my/index.php/database_stores/store_view_page/30/349

Requestor: Ministry of Health

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Mini HTA

Country: Malaysia

Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229

Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my

Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section (MaHTAS)