Allergy test - drawing blood from a baby

[Star39]

Hello all
My baby daughter had a blood test done today using a butterfly needle.
I was so distracted trying to keep her calm that I didn’t pay attention to the needle being prepared. It was a butterfly needle. I am now so anxious that potentially a reused needle could have been used.
I know I am probably being stupid but as it’s my baby I feel that I should have been paying attention.
Does anyone know how these needles work and could the needles be reused? X

Butterfly needles can't be reused. NHS needles are all single use.
This is a strange thing to be concerned about, why would you think it's been reused?
Hope tests all come back ok for your little one

Why on earth would the needle have been reused??? There is no way that an NHS employee would even consider reusing a needle, especially on a baby. That is ludicrous and you need to calm down. It is not up to you to scrutinise the equipment either.

Bit harsh responses...
The OP is allowed to wonder if the needle was new etc. We don't have to trust every HCP we come into contact with... 🙄.

I'm a dental nurse and one of our rules is that we have to show the patient the needle and la coming out of a new sealed packet. Same with instruments we have to open the sealed packet of instruments when the patient is in the room and not before.

Don't worry OP I'm sure it was new but understand your worries. I always have a look around too and watch them take it out the packet etc. I also asked MW to show me vit k injection when baby was born. I like to know what is being put into my child for my own reassurance.

@FairyDust92 Thankyou for understanding. This is why I am feeling this way - I did t see anything come out of the packet neither did the nurse show me. My focus was on my daughter. They sprayed some numbing spray on her arm which they said may distress her. The next thing I knew the needle was going into her arm. I’m wondering if it was all prepped before we came into the room?

@jomaIone yes, I know I am but ridiculous and I am not accusing anyone of anything, I am just asking the question as I feel abit anxious. May be I have left my imagination run away with me because I didn’t see the needle come out of the wrapper.

Apologies if I have offended anyone

My little one has had a lot of blood tests for various things. The equipment has always been prepared ready to get it over and done with a quickly as possible.
I really wouldn’t worry they know what they are doing

Butterfly needles retract into the sheath when removed form the vein so they be reused

Cant*

They use butterflies on me weekly. They come in a sterile packet with needle, wings and tube attached, the blood bottles click onto the tube and as soon as the needle is out (successful or not) it’s all into the sharps bin and a fresh needle opened if needed. Hope that helps, and all the best to you and little one!

@ItsHedLey is that definite that they retract!’v I wasnt sure if that was butterfly’s or normal needles they use to take blood. If they retract them that would massively reassure me!

My daughter had a blood test too and I'm sure it came from a packet, so not reused!
Wishing well to your LO

@Star39 yes it is definite. They take it out of the vein and the needle retracts into the sheath immediately.

When you use the needle the tube fills with blood. There's no way you could use it again because you would see all the blood in the tube already. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.