When should a heel puncture be preferred over a finger puncture?

A heel puncture is preferred over a finger puncture primarily when the patient is an infant. This is due to several factors related to the physiology and safety of infants. Heel punctures cause less trauma and are easier to perform on infants who have smaller, more delicate fingertips. The heel of an infant provides a reliable site for collecting capillary blood while minimizing the risk of injury to the child.

In contrast, finger punctures, which are more commonly used for adults or older children, involve accessing a more developed and tougher skin, which requires different techniques and levels of force. Additionally, finger punctures can cause more pain and discomfort compared to heel punctures in newborns and young infants.

Choosing heel puncture for infants also aligns with best practices for minimizing potential complications while ensuring adequate blood sample collection for necessary tests. This approach avoids the risks associated with using a finger for blood collection in very young patients, making it the appropriate choice in this context.