Evaluation of a sterile surgical skin marker to indicate the optimal vein for venepuncture in the blood donation setting.

The use of skin marker pens did not increase overall phlebotomy success rate. There was no increase in phlebotomy site skin bacterial load, and amendments to standard skin disinfection techniques were not required. Blood donors were not concerned about the pen mark on their arms. Generally, staff indicated that the markers may be valuable to assist with phlebotomies for donors with difficult or deep veins.