Why do butterfly needles hurt less when drawing blood?

Butterfly needles are typically smaller than traditional straight needles. It is also easier to switch tubes with a butterfly, because with a straight needle, there's the risk of slightly jerking the apparatus when switching tubes. read more

Always using a butterfly due to the perceived pain reduction is ridiculous. You have more of a chance of having a hemolyzed specimen, clotting in the tube, etc. Butterfly needles have their place in a blood draw but should not be used because you think it will hurt less. read more

Longer draw line means that for the long or multi-tubes draw there is a good chance the blood can clot in the tube. If I happen to get a dud tube, I have to grab one from my cart or tray, that time is enough to clot in the draw line. read more

If you're on warfarin (blood thinner), they'll use a butterfly needle to check your INR because of bleeding problems. I used to be squeamish about getting my blood drawn until I had a few incidents like you had. One time they asked me if I minded if a trainee took my blood. read more