Ms. Chnar HussamDr. Tola FARAJ

Phlebotomy - Venipuncture

Phlebotomy - Venipuncture

▪ Phlebotomy, what does it mean?Greek translation

Phlebos - veinTome - incision

Phlebotomy is the process of making apuncture in a vein with a needle, for thepurpose of taking blood. The procedureitself is known as a venipuncture.

Why collect blood?

▪ Diagnosis of disease▪ Therapeutic purposes▪ Blood donation

Phlebotomy Sites Veins in Arm:▪ Cephalic▪ Basilic▪ Cubital

Venipuncture Methods:There are three main methods of drawing blood_

A. Vacuum TubeB. SyringeC. Butterfly

A. Evacuated Tube Method

This method includes:▪ Vacutainer tube▪ Adapter▪ Double-pointed Needle

Features of this method are:▪ Closed system - needle stick risk low▪ The vacuum draws blood inside the tube

C. Butterfly collection system▪ Combines benefits of syringe and

vacuum methods▪ Used for small or fragile veins

that are difficult to draw▪ Winged needle inserted at about

5° angle then threaded into avein

B. Syringe method▪ Used for small or fragile veins▪ Control flow

▪ Physician order/Lab requisition form.▪ Pen - black ink.▪ Appropriate PPE (gloves and gown).▪ Needle holder and Needle (varying sizes).▪ Tubes - varying sizes and types used.

▪ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment/Supplies Step 1

Basic order:▪ Sterile specimens▪ Light blue - sodium citrate▪ Red or plain tubes - no additives or gel▪ Yellow - SST/Serum separator tube▪ Green - heparin▪ Lavender - EDTA▪ Gray - oxalate fluoride

More Equipment/Supplies:

▪ Tourniquet1.Constrict flow of blood in arm2.Make veins more prominent

▪ Alcohol▪ Cotton balls▪ Bandages or tape

A Phlebotomist needs to use all these skills:▪ Technical skills▪ Prepare for the draw-equipment (spare tubes)▪ Positioning the patient▪ Note order-required tests▪ Social skills▪ Small talk (weather, pets, entertainment)▪ Good Therapeutic Communication▪ Assess patient comfort level▪ Ask about past experiences

Step 2

Preparing the patient Note:

▪ Identify yourself and explain the procedure

Properly Identify your patient ask them to:▪ State their name and date of birth▪ Ask the patient about allergies▪ Taking blood thinners▪ Past Experiences

Remember to wash your hands

Step 3

Position your patient for safety:

▪ Sit▪ Lie down▪ (note past history of fainting or loss of consciousness)

▪ Select the appropriate site and vein free of:1. Scars2. Hematomas3. A Pulse

Palpate vein with tip of fingerUse the tourniquet appropriately

▪ Proper Tourniquet Technique▪ To prevent inaccurate blood test results - do not

leave on longer than one minute▪ Tourniquet may be applied over clothing for

patient comfort▪ Remove tourniquet when blood flow is achieved▪ Always remove tourniquet prior to removing

needle

Proper completion of draw▪ Remove tourniquet▪ Remove needle▪ Bandage appropriately▪ Label specimen tubes in front of patient

▪ Tend to the safety of your patient Step 4

T H A N K S