PeaceHealth
08/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/12/2026 16:08
Mission Award Recipient for Stewardship: Phlebotomy Team in Sedro-Woolley
This team at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center found ways to lessen the chance of butterfly needle-sticks.
It looks harmless. It's used every day. But it can be dangerous. We know it as the butterfly needle, and a team at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center decided to do something about it.
Ken Hoekstra, manager of the clinical laboratory, says the project began after the team noticed an increase in needle-stick injuries to caregivers.
Butterfly needles can be more complicated
With their signature side wings and attached tubing, butterfly needles can be more complicated to handle safely. This complexity is often where accidents happen.
The challenge was that most phlebotomy and nursing schools train new healthcare professionals on butterfly needles as the default. Shifting the lab's practice toward straight needles meant retraining staff from scratch.
Straight needles offer a simpler draw
However, it was worth it. Straight needles offer a simpler draw, with no tubing to twist or unexpected moves. The team found them faster and safer for many collections.
Butterfly needles haven't disappeared altogether. They are still the right tool for certain draws. But the lab now reserves them for situations where they're truly needed.
Safety initiative also saves money
What began as a safety initiative grew into something bigger. The project saves money and supports fellow caregivers through retraining, too.
"My takeaway is that little changes can make big changes and that small little decisions along the way - if you're always striving to do better - those little things add up and become big things," says Amanda Christianson, technical lab assistant.
Single voice can drive meaningful change
For the team, recognition is proof that a single voice can drive meaningful change that reaches the top of the organization.
Thanks to their commitment to protecting caregivers and improving patient care through thoughtful, data-driven change, Amanda Christianson, Amanda Jamison, Mehnaaz Khan and Kimberly Minkel are the recipients of PeaceHealth's 2026 Systemwide Mission and Values Award for Stewardship.
The Mission and Values Awards are PeaceHealth's highest honor. They recognize caregivers for living PeaceHealth's Mission and Values of Social Justice, Stewardship, Respect and Collaboration.
Overall and Collaboration: Dustin Daniel, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
Social Justice: Michelle Kennedy, RN, PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center
Respect: Antonio Mejia, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend
PeaceHealth published this content on August 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 12, 2026 at 22:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]