The practice of drawing blood has remained largely unchanged for decades. However, a major shift is on the horizon as several health systems across the U.S., including Northwestern Medicine, are now testing a blood-drawing robot in a revolutionary approach.
How does the blood-drawing robot work?
Northwestern is among the institutions trialing the Aletta, an automated blood-drawing robot designed to enhance efficiency and address the shortage of phlebotomists.
The process is simple. The patient sits beside the 5-foot-tall Aletta device and places an arm on its sloped armrest. After pressing the start button, a tourniquet tightens around the arm to prepare for the blood draw.
Next, Aletta uses infrared light to locate veins. The device sprays alcohol to clean the area, then an AI-driven Doppler ultrasound probe selects the best vein. A robotic arm inserts the needle and collects blood into tubes. Once finished, Aletta applies a bandage to the puncture site.
Unlike traditional methods, the patient never sees the needle or blood collection. The entire process takes about two minutes.
For those who fear needles, this could be a game-changer. Imagine a blood test where a machine handles everything seamlessly—no discomfort, no struggle.
Is the blood-drawing robot more effective?
“With this device, they never see the needle, and they never see or feel the blood tubes being changed,” said Bob Gerberich, chief commercial officer for North America at Vitestro, the Netherlands-based company behind Aletta. “That really helps with patients who are typically squeamish.”
Aletta achieves a 95% success rate on the first attempt—higher than human phlebotomists, who may require multiple tries, especially with patients who have small or hard-to-find veins.
The device also ensures a near-zero hemolysis rate, meaning fewer unusable samples. Traditional methods have a hemolysis rate of 3% to 4%, which can lead to test inaccuracies or delays.
Currently approved for use in Europe for patients aged 16 and older, Aletta is awaiting FDA approval for commercial launch in the U.S.
The future of robotic blood draws
Northwestern is one of three U.S. sites participating in a multi-center clinical trial for Aletta. The goal is to evaluate the device’s real-world performance and gather feedback.
Dr. Gregory Retzinger, medical director of Pathology Clinical Services at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, sees the robot as a solution to the ongoing phlebotomist shortage. “We don’t have enough people to draw blood, so I had to look for a solution,” Retzinger said.
Will robots replace human phlebotomists?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for phlebotomists is projected to grow 8% between 2023 and 2033—twice the average growth rate for all occupations. The bureau estimates approximately 19,600 job openings per year during this period.
Vitestro believes Aletta will improve efficiency and reduce costs for healthcare providers. A single trained worker could oversee up to three Aletta devices simultaneously, increasing productivity. Additionally, more patients could receive timely blood tests with reduced wait times.
“The main purpose of the device is to enhance sample quality and improve the patient experience,” said Vitestro CEO Maarten Overbeeke.
As healthcare technology advances, robotic phlebotomy may become standard in hospitals and clinics. The question remains: Would you trust a robot to draw your blood?
