Vacutainer Holders Explained: How to Choose a Blood Collection Tube Holder

If you work with evacuated blood collection tubes, the Vacutainer holder is one of the simplest—but most important—parts of the blood collection system. The holder connects a compatible blood collection needle or collection set with the evacuated specimen tube, allowing blood to be collected directly into the appropriate tube.

You may also see these products described as Vacutainer tube holders, Vacutainer needle holders, blood collection tube holders, blood draw holders or phlebotomy tube holders.

While these terms are often used interchangeably, compatibility matters. The holder, blood collection device and evacuated tubes need to work together as an appropriate blood collection system.

This guide explains how Vacutainer holders work, what they're used for, whether they can be reused, and what to know about the popular BD Vacutainer® One-Use Holder 364815.

What Is a Vacutainer Holder?

A Vacutainer holder is the plastic holder used during evacuated tube blood collection.

The holder serves as the connection between the blood collection device and the evacuated specimen tube.

A typical evacuated blood collection setup includes:

1. A compatible blood collection needle or blood collection set

2. A blood collection tube holder

3. An evacuated blood collection tube

The needle or collection device attaches to one end of the holder. The evacuated specimen tube is inserted into the other end during blood collection.

This simple design allows different evacuated tubes to be used during a blood draw according to the required laboratory testing and collection procedure.

How Does a Vacutainer Tube Holder Work?

Evacuated blood collection tubes contain a predetermined vacuum.

During collection, a compatible needle or blood collection set provides the pathway between the patient's vein and the collection tube.

The Vacutainer holder positions the evacuated tube so that it can engage with the collection device. Once engaged, the tube's vacuum draws blood into the specimen tube.

When multiple specimens are required, additional compatible tubes can be inserted into the holder according to the appropriate collection procedure and order of draw.

The holder itself does not collect or store the specimen. Instead, it acts as the interface between the blood collection device and the evacuated tube.

Vacutainer Holder, Tube Holder or Needle Holder: What's the Difference?

When shopping for blood collection supplies, you'll encounter several names for this type of product.

Common search terms include:

• Vacutainer holder

• Vacutainer tube holder

• Vacutainer needle holder

• Blood collection tube holder

• Blood draw tube holder

• Phlebotomy tube holder

• Evacuated tube holder

• Blood collection needle holder

These terms often refer to the same general type of device.

However, BD Vacutainer® refers to BD's branded blood collection system. If your facility uses BD Vacutainer products, searching by the exact BD catalog number can help ensure you're purchasing the intended product.

One of the most common examples is the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder, catalog number 364815.

What Is the BD Vacutainer 364815 Holder?

BD 364815 is the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder.

It is designed as part of the BD Vacutainer blood collection system and provides a holder for compatible blood collection needles, blood collection sets and evacuated tubes.

BD 364815 Quick Specifications

For healthcare facilities purchasing blood collection supplies in volume, BD packages the 364815 holder 250 per box and 1,000 per case.

What Products Are Compatible With the BD Vacutainer Holder?

BD designed the Vacutainer One-Use Holder to work within its broader blood collection system.

BD identifies compatibility with products including:

• BD Vacutainer Eclipse™ Blood Collection Needles

• BD Vacutainer Safety-Lok™ Blood Collection Sets

• BD Vacutainer Push Button Blood Collection Sets

• BD Vacutainer Multiple Sample Luer Adapters

This allows the same general holder system to support different blood collection approaches depending on the device required for the procedure.

Always confirm the current manufacturer's compatibility information for the exact needle, collection set, adapter and holder being used.

Can You Use a Butterfly Needle With a Vacutainer Holder?

A common question is whether a butterfly needle can be used with a Vacutainer holder.

Compatible winged blood collection sets can be used with an evacuated tube holder when the blood collection set is designed for that purpose.

For example, BD identifies both its Vacutainer Safety-Lok Blood Collection Set and Vacutainer Push Button Blood Collection Set as compatible with the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder.

This allows a winged blood collection set to be used while still collecting specimens into compatible evacuated blood collection tubes.

The exact collection set and holder should always be checked for compatibility before use.

Can You Use a Vacutainer Holder With a Straight Blood Collection Needle?

Yes, provided the blood collection needle is designed for an evacuated tube system and is compatible with the holder.

BD specifically lists its Vacutainer Eclipse Blood Collection Needle as compatible with the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder.

A typical configuration is:

Blood Collection Needle → Vacutainer Holder → Evacuated Blood Collection Tube

The appropriate needle gauge, collection tube and collection procedure depend on the clinical and laboratory requirements.

Can Vacutainer Holders Be Reused?

Not all blood collection holders should be assumed to be reusable.

The BD Vacutainer 364815 is specifically a one-use holder.

BD recommends converting from its reusable BD Pronto™ Quick Release Holder to the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder 364815. BD references OSHA guidance recommending single use of blood tube holders.

A holder labeled for single use should therefore be used and disposed of according to the manufacturer's instructions and the facility's applicable bloodborne-pathogen and disposal procedures.

Why Use a One-Use Vacutainer Holder?

Blood collection equipment may be exposed to blood during the collection process.

A one-use holder provides a new holder for each applicable blood collection procedure rather than requiring a holder intended for reuse to be processed between uses.

For healthcare organizations, using standardized single-use blood collection components may also simplify purchasing, stocking and facility procedures.

The manufacturer's labeling and facility infection-control policies should always determine how a blood collection holder is used and disposed of.

What Blood Collection Tubes Are Used With a Vacutainer Holder?

A Vacutainer holder is used as part of an evacuated blood collection system and may be used with compatible specimen tubes selected for the laboratory testing being performed.

Common blood collection tube categories include:

• Lavender top EDTA tubes

• Green top heparin tubes

• Light blue sodium citrate tubes

• Red top serum tubes

• Gold or tiger top SST serum separator tubes

• Gray top fluoride/oxalate tubes

• Other specialty blood collection tubes

The tube—not the holder—determines the specimen additive or anticoagulant.

This is an important distinction. The holder provides the connection to the evacuated collection tube, while the selected tube contains the additive, anticoagulant, clot activator, separator gel or other components required for a particular specimen type.

Vacutainer Holder vs. Vacutainer Blood Collection Tube

Although both are components of the same blood collection system, they serve very different purposes.

A Vacutainer holder is the plastic device used to position and connect an evacuated collection tube with a compatible blood collection needle or collection set.

A Vacutainer blood collection tube is the specimen container.

Blood collection tubes are available with different additives and closure colors depending on the required specimen and laboratory test.

The holder can therefore be used as part of collections involving different compatible evacuated tubes during the same blood draw when required.

Vacutainer Holder vs. Blood Collection Set

A holder should also not be confused with a blood collection set.

A blood collection set may include a needle, flexible tubing and safety components.

A Vacutainer holder is the component that allows a compatible evacuated collection tube to connect with the collection system.

Certain winged blood collection sets are designed to connect with a separate holder, while other products may be supplied with a holder already attached.

Checking the manufacturer's catalog number and product configuration is particularly important when ordering these products.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Vacutainer Holder?

Before purchasing blood collection tube holders, check several specifications.

Manufacturer and Catalog Number

If your facility has standardized on a particular blood collection system, order using the manufacturer and exact catalog number whenever possible.

For the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder discussed here, the catalog number is 364815.

Needle and Collection Set Compatibility

Confirm that the holder is compatible with the blood collection needle, butterfly set or adapter being used.

Tube Compatibility

Confirm compatibility with the evacuated blood collection tubes used by your laboratory.

Single-Use or Reusable Design

Do not assume a holder can be reused simply because it appears durable.

Follow the manufacturer's intended-use labeling.

Packaging Quantity

High-volume laboratories, hospitals and phlebotomy departments may prefer purchasing holders by the case, while lower-volume facilities may prefer smaller package quantities.

BD 364815 Packaging

The BD Vacutainer 364815 One-Use Holder is packaged for professional healthcare and laboratory environments.

Box quantity: 250 holders

Case quantity: 1,000 holders

When comparing listings from medical supply distributors, pay attention to the unit of measure. A listing may represent an individual holder, a package of 250 or a full case.

Checking the unit of measure before ordering can help prevent purchasing errors.

Who Uses Vacutainer Holders?

Blood collection tube holders are used in many healthcare and laboratory settings, including:

• Hospitals

• Clinical laboratories

• Reference laboratories

• Physician offices

• Urgent care centers

• Outpatient clinics

• Phlebotomy departments

• Healthcare systems

• Other professional blood collection settings

Because holders such as BD 364815 are intended for one-time use, facilities performing frequent blood draws may consume substantial quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacutainer Holders

What is a Vacutainer holder used for?

A Vacutainer holder connects a compatible blood collection needle or collection set with an evacuated blood collection tube during specimen collection.

Is a Vacutainer holder the same as a needle holder?

The terms Vacutainer holder, Vacutainer needle holder and Vacutainer tube holder are often used interchangeably when referring to the plastic holder used in an evacuated blood collection system.

What is BD 364815?

BD 364815 is the catalog number for the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder. It is designed for use with compatible components of the BD Vacutainer blood collection system.

How many BD 364815 Vacutainer holders are in a box?

BD packages the 364815 One-Use Holder 250 per box and 1,000 per case.

Are BD Vacutainer holders reusable?

BD 364815 is specifically labeled as a one-use holder. BD recommends its one-use holder instead of its reusable Pronto holder and references OSHA guidance recommending single use of blood tube holders.

Can you use a butterfly needle with a Vacutainer holder?

Compatible winged blood collection sets can be used with an appropriate holder. BD identifies its Vacutainer Safety-Lok and Push Button blood collection sets as compatible with the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder.

Does a Vacutainer holder determine which blood test is performed?

No. The holder is part of the collection system. The appropriate evacuated blood collection tube and its additive, along with the laboratory's specimen requirements, are what determine the appropriate specimen collection for a particular test.

Where can I buy Vacutainer holders?

Beyond Surgical carries professional blood collection, phlebotomy and laboratory supplies. When shopping for a Vacutainer holder, search by the manufacturer and exact catalog number—such as BD 364815—to help identify the correct product.

Shop Blood Collection Supplies at Beyond Surgical

Beyond Surgical supplies healthcare facilities with professional blood collection, phlebotomy and laboratory products, including products within the BD Vacutainer blood collection system.

When purchasing a Vacutainer holder or related blood collection supplies, confirm the manufacturer's catalog number, packaging quantity and compatibility with the needles, collection sets and evacuated tubes used by your facility.

For the BD Vacutainer One-Use Holder, look for BD catalog number 364815.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general product education and purchasing information. It is not a substitute for manufacturer instructions, clinical procedures, OSHA requirements or your facility's infection-control, blood collection and sharps-disposal policies. Always follow current manufacturer labeling and applicable facility procedures when using blood collection products.