A lancet is a needle device used to prick a patient’s finger to draw a small amount of blood which can then be tested for measurement of hemoglobin, blood glucose, uric acid, cholesterol levels, blood grouping, etc. Lancets are commonly used in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, laboratories, OB/GYN practices, oncology departments, emergency medical services, nursing homes and blood banks.
What are the types of lancets?
There are two types of lancets:
Regular Lancets are simple needles encased in plastic and used with a lancing device. The user needs to insert the needle into the device and remove it after use thus exposing the user to the danger of a “needlestick” injury.
Safety Lancets incorporate the lancing device and the needle into a complete disposable unit that is used only once. The needle is not exposed before or after use thus minimizing the risk of needlestick injury and cross contamination between different people.
