How long should occlusive pressure be held on venous sites before loosening?

The appropriate duration for holding occlusive pressure on venous sites before loosening is three minutes. This practice is particularly important to prevent complications such as hematoma formation at the venous access site following procedures like venogram or catheter placement.

Applying pressure for a sufficient amount of time allows for adequate hemostasis, particularly in venous sites where the potential for bleeding can be significant due to the nature of venous circulation, which is under lower pressure compared to arteries. Holding pressure for a minimum of three minutes helps ensure that the puncture site effectively clots, thereby reducing the risk of post-procedural complications.

While shorter durations, such as one minute, may not provide enough time for the body to initiate the clotting process effectively, longer durations, such as five or ten minutes, may be unnecessarily prolonged for most standard venous access procedures, potentially increasing patient discomfort without significant additional benefit. Thus, three minutes strikes a balance, ensuring patient safety while providing an efficient approach to hemostasis.