Why 18G × 1" with PrecisionGlide Technology for High-Flow Clinical Applications

The 18-gauge needle (1.3mm outer diameter) provides the large bore necessary for rapid blood collection, high-volume fluid administration, and viscous substance transfer where flow rate is critical—the wide lumen significantly reduces aspiration and injection time compared to smaller gauges, essential for blood donation procedures, rapid fluid resuscitation, emergency medication delivery, and drawing blood cultures where multiple collection tubes must be filled quickly. The 1-inch (25mm) length is appropriate for venipuncture in most adult patients, intramuscular injections in average-sized individuals, and accessing deep tissues or vessels while remaining manageable for precise control during insertion—making this gauge-length combination ideal for emergency departments, blood banks, and clinical situations where speed and adequate flow are paramount. BD's PrecisionGlide technology features triple-sharpened bevels with precision-engineered angles that maintain smooth penetration despite the larger diameter, reducing insertion force and patient discomfort while the thin-wall cannula design maximizes internal diameter relative to outer diameter, providing superior flow rates without further increasing gauge size or tissue trauma.

Key Features & Benefits

Key Features:

• 18-gauge (18G) needle with 1.3mm outer diameter for rapid flow
• 1-inch (25mm) length for standard venipuncture and IM injections
• PrecisionGlide technology with triple-sharpened bevel
• Thin-wall cannula construction for optimized flow rate
• High-quality surgical-grade stainless steel
• Color-coded hub (pink for 18G per ISO standards)
• Transparent hub for blood flashback visualization
• Compatible with Luer Lock and Luer Slip syringes
• Electropolished surface reduces friction during insertion
• Sterile, individually packaged in rigid protective shields
• Box of 100 needles for clinical inventory management
• Latex-free construction for allergy safety
• Single-use, disposable design
• Meets USP and ISO international quality standards
• Manufactured by BD (trusted global medical device leader)

Benefits:

• Large bore enables rapid blood collection and fluid delivery
• Fastest flow rate for time-critical procedures
• Reduces procedure time in emergencies
• Appropriate for blood donation and therapeutic phlebotomy
• PrecisionGlide technology maintains smooth penetration
• Minimizes tissue trauma despite larger size
• Standard length appropriate for most adult patients
• Compatible with multiple syringe types
• Color-coded hub enables instant gauge identification
• Clear hub allows blood return visualization
• Sterile packaging ensures infection control
• Latex-free protects sensitive patients and staff
• Reliable BD quality with consistent performance
• Cost-effective bulk packaging for high-volume use

Clinical Applications

BD PrecisionGlide 18G × 1" hypodermic needles are appropriate for:

✓ Venipuncture for blood sample collection ✓ Blood donation and collection procedures ✓ Therapeutic phlebotomy ✓ Blood culture collection (rapid filling of multiple bottles) ✓ Rapid fluid administration in emergencies ✓ IV access for contrast media injection ✓ Drawing blood for laboratory specimens (multiple tubes) ✓ Emergency medication administration requiring rapid delivery ✓ Intramuscular injections (larger adults, viscous medications) ✓ Administering blood products (appropriate gauge for transfusion) ✓ Drawing and administering viscous medications ✓ Aspiration of fluids from body cavities ✓ Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis) ✓ Bone marrow aspiration (adequate bore for cellular material) ✓ Dialysis access procedures ✓ Emergency department critical procedures ✓ Trauma resuscitation fluid administration

Usage & Application

Pre-Use Preparation:

1. Verify clinical indication:
   • Confirm procedure requires 18G large bore
   • Assess patient factors (vein size, tissue depth)
   • Consider if smaller gauge adequate (less trauma)
2. Assess gauge-length appropriateness:
   • 18G advantages:
     • Fastest flow rate
     • Rapid blood collection
     • Multiple tube fills efficient
     • Adequate for viscous substances
     • Good for emergency situations
   • 18G considerations:
     • Larger diameter causes more discomfort
     • More tissue trauma than smaller gauges
     • May be unnecessarily large for routine procedures
   • 1" length appropriate for:
     • Venipuncture in most adults
     • IM injections in average patients
     • Most routine procedures
3. Gather supplies:
   • BD PrecisionGlide 18G × 1" needle
   • Appropriate syringe or collection system
   • Tourniquet
   • Alcohol swabs
   • Clean gloves
   • Gauze pads
   • Adhesive bandage
   • Sharps container
   • Blood collection tubes (if applicable)
4. Hand hygiene and don gloves
5. Inspect needle package:
   • Check shield integrity
   • Verify expiration date
   • Discard if damaged

Attaching Needle to Syringe:

For Luer Lock:

• Align threads, twist clockwise until secure
• Verify tight connection

For Luer Slip:

• Push straight onto tip with firm pressure
• Ensure fully seated

Venipuncture (Blood Draw) Procedure:

1. Select venipuncture site:
   • Preferred sites (antecubital fossa):
     • Median cubital vein (first choice—large, well-anchored)
     • Cephalic vein
     • Basilic vein
   • Alternative sites:
     • Hand veins (if necessary)
     • Forearm veins
   • Avoid:
     • Areas with scarring, burns, or infection
     • Arm with IV, mastectomy, dialysis access
     • Hematomas or bruised areas
2. Apply tourniquet:
   • Position 3-4 inches above puncture site
   • Tight enough to impede venous return
   • Should still palpate arterial pulse
   • Do not leave on >1 minute (causes hemoconcentration)
3. Palpate vein:
   • Palpation more important than visualization
   • Feel for:
     • Bouncy, resilient vein
     • Adequate size for 18G
     • Straight path for needle advancement
   • Avoid veins that are:
     • Hard, cordlike (sclerosed)
     • Rolling or thin-walled
4. Clean site:
   • Alcohol swab in circular motion outward
   • Allow to air dry completely (30 seconds)
   • Do not touch site after cleaning
5. Anchor vein:
   • Pull skin taut below puncture site with non-dominant hand
   • Prevents vein rolling
   • Stabilizes for insertion
6. Insert needle:
   • Bevel up (can see bevel opening)
   • 15-30 degree angle to skin
   • Smooth, controlled motion (not hesitant)
   • Watch for blood flashback in hub
   • 18G may cause more discomfort—quick insertion helps
7. Advance until flashback:
   • Once blood appears in hub, slightly lower angle
   • Advance needle 1-2mm more (ensures needle fully in lumen)
   • Keep needle stable
8. Release tourniquet:
   • Remove tourniquet once blood flowing
   • Important: Release before removing needle
9. Collect blood:
   • For vacuum tubes:
     • Attach tube holder and insert tubes
     • 18G fills tubes very rapidly
     • Fill in correct order per protocol
   • For syringe:
     • Pull plunger slowly and steadily
     • 18G requires less aspiration force
     • Avoid excessive suction (causes hemolysis)
10. Remove needle:
    • Place gauze over site
    • Withdraw needle smoothly at same angle
    • Do not apply pressure until needle fully removed
    • Apply firm pressure immediately with gauze
11. Apply pressure:
    • Patient or provider presses firmly 2-5 minutes
    • Longer if patient anticoagulated
    • Do not bend arm (doesn't improve hemostasis)
    • Check for bleeding stopped before bandage
12. Apply adhesive bandage

Intramuscular Injection:

1. Select site:
   • 18G typically used for:
     • Larger adults
     • Viscous medications
     • Situations requiring rapid administration
2. Prepare site:
   • Clean with alcohol, allow to dry
   • Stretch skin taut
3. Insert needle:
   • 90-degree angle
   • Quick, dart-like motion
   • Insert to full 1" depth (to hub)
   • 18G larger diameter—quick insertion reduces pain
4. Aspirate per protocol:
   • Check for blood return
   • If blood: withdraw, discard, new injection
5. Inject medication:
   • Slow, steady pressure
   • 18G allows rapid injection if needed
6. Withdraw and apply pressure

Fluid Administration:

1. For rapid fluid delivery:
   • Attach to appropriate syringe
   • Draw fluid
   • Connect to IV access or inject directly
   • 18G enables very rapid delivery (critical in emergencies)
2. Monitor injection site:
   • Watch for infiltration
   • Assess patient tolerance

Post-Procedure Care:

1. Do not recap
2. Dispose in sharps container
3. Remove gloves, hand hygiene
4. Document procedure
5. Monitor patient for complications

Special Considerations:

Blood donation:

• 18G standard for whole blood donation
• Rapid collection minimizes donor time
• Reduces hemolysis risk
• Adequate for blood component collection

Emergency procedures:

• 18G ideal for rapid resuscitation
• Fast fluid delivery critical in trauma, shock
• Quick blood collection for emergency labs
• Multiple tube fills efficient

Blood cultures:

• 18G allows rapid bottle filling
• Reduces contamination time
• Multiple bottles filled quickly
• Important in sepsis workup

Viscous medications:

• 18G accommodates thick solutions
• Reduces injection pressure
• Prevents syringe/needle damage

Obese patients:

• 1" may be adequate for venipuncture
• May need longer needle for IM (1.5")
• Assess tissue depth

Thin/cachectic patients:

• 1" adequate to excessive
• May hit bone if too deep
• Use caution

Anticoagulated patients:

• Apply pressure longer (5-10 minutes)
• Monitor for hematoma
• 18G larger puncture takes longer to seal

Pediatric patients:

• Generally avoid 18G in children
• Too large for most pediatric veins
• Use smaller gauges (21G-23G)
• May be appropriate for older adolescents

Difficult venipuncture:

• 18G may be challenging in small veins
• Consider smaller gauge if veins marginal
• Use vein visualization if available

Hemolysis prevention:

• Avoid excessive aspiration force
• Don't pull plunger too quickly
• 18G less prone to hemolysis than smaller gauges
• Allow blood to flow naturally

Technical Specifications

Product Details:

• Manufacturer: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
• Product Line: PrecisionGlide™
• Needle Gauge: 18G (1.3mm outer diameter, 0.84mm inner diameter typical)
• Needle Length: 1 inch (25mm)
• Bevel Type: Regular bevel with PrecisionGlide technology
• Bevel Features: Triple-sharpened edges, precision-engineered angle
• Cannula Material: Surgical-grade stainless steel
• Cannula Type: Thin-wall construction for optimized flow
• Surface Treatment: Electropolished for reduced friction
• Hub Color: Pink (per ISO 6009 color coding for 18G)
• Hub Material: Medical-grade polypropylene
• Hub Type: Transparent for blood flashback visualization
• Connection Type: Universal hub compatible with Luer Lock and Luer Slip syringes
• Flow Rate: Highest among standard clinical gauges
• Sterility: Sterile, individually packaged
• Sterilization Method: Ethylene oxide (EtO) or gamma radiation
• Latex Content: Latex-free (no natural rubber latex)
• DEHP-Free: Yes
• Expiration: Typically 5 years from manufacture
• Packaging: Box of 100 individually packaged needles
• Intended Use: Venipuncture, blood collection, high-flow injections
• Patient Population: Adults, larger adolescents
• Regulatory Status: FDA-cleared medical device, Class II
• Standards Compliance:
  • ISO 7864 (sterile hypodermic single-use needles)
  • ISO 9626 (stainless steel needle tubing)
  • ISO 6009 (needle color coding)
  • USP standards for sharpness and sterility