Phlebotomy
Process of collecting blood
Phlebotomy
The act or practice of drawing/removing blood from circulatory system through a cut or
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Phlebotomy
"The act or practice of bloodletting as a therapeutic measure"
Phlebotomy
It was once thought that the practice would rid the body of diseases and provide a cure for almost all ailments
12th Century
Bloodletting was practiced by barbers, whose red and white poles became the symbol of their trade
1) Extract teeth
2) Setting bone
3) Treating wounds
Aside from bloodletting, what else does barbers do
Blood
Red represents what
Vein
Blue represents what
Bandage
White represents what
1) Venesection
2) Cupping
Two basic methods of phlebotomy
Venesection
A sharp lancet type instruments pierced the veins and made them bleed
Cupping
Involved the application of heated suction apparatus (cup) to the skin to draw blood to the surface
Cupping
The capillaries are severed by making incisions with a lancet or fleam
No method of sterilization / There is a tendency of blood-borne transmission
Disadvantage of Venesection and Cupping
Leeching
It involves the medicinal leeches to the spot needing bloodletting with a drop of milk or blood on the patient's skin
Hirudo medicinalis
Scientific term for leeching
Hirudotheraphy
Other term for leeching
1) local vasodilator
2) local anesthetic
3) hirudin
Components of leech's saliva
December 14, 1799
When George Washington died
more than 9 pints
How many did George Washington lost in less than 12 hours
19th Century
The discovery of microorganisms as the causative agent for many diseases started to change the thinking of how ti treat diseases
19th Century
Blood was began to be examined for diagnostic purposes
1) Venipuncture
2) Capillary puncture
Two procedures of phlebotomy today
1) Obtain blood for diagnostic purposes and to monitor prescribed treatment
2) Remove blood for transfusions and at a donor center
3) Remove blood for therapeutic purposes such ad polycythemia and hereditary hemochromatosis
Application of Phlebotomy today
Phlebotomist
A person trained to obtain blood samples primarily by venipuncture and micro-techniques
Phlebotomist
The result of the tests depends on the quality of the blood they obtained
1) Correct identification and preparation of the patient before sample collection
2) Collection of the appropriate amount of the blood by venipuncture for the specified tests
3)Selection of the appropriate sample containers for the specified tests
4) Correct labeling of all samples with required information
5) Appropriate transformation of samples back to the laboratory in a timely manner
6) Effective interactions with patients and hospital personnel
7) Processing of samples for to the appropriate laboratory departments
8) Performance of computer operations and record-keeping pertaining to phlebotomy
9) Observations of all safety regulations, quality control checks, and preventive maintenance of procedures
10) Attendance at continuing education programs
Traditional duties of a phlebotomist
1) Centralized phlebotomy
2) Decentralized phlebotomy
3) Hybrid phlebotomy
Approaches to Phlebotomy
Centralized Phlebotomy
Phlebotomist is dispatched from the laboratory to either nursing units or outpatient areas
Centralized Phlebotomy
After blood collection, the phlebotomist will bring the samples to the laboratory
Centralized Phlebotomy
Single-skilled, waiting-to-serve-time
Centralized Phlebotomy
The phlebotomist starts on second round of collection
Centralized Phlebotomy
The remainder of the day is spent in returning to the nursing unit or outpatient areas to collect one or two blood sample at a time as new tests are ordered
Decentralized Phlebotomy
More people are collecting blood samples during the busy time
Decentralized Phlebotomy
The duties of the hospital staff revolve around the patient and the need to treat quickly rather than being restricted to a specific job description
Decentralized Phlebotomy
Since more people are collecting the samples, each person does not have as many to collect
Decentralized Phlebotomy
When the phlebotomist's blood collection duties are completed, he/she does not return to the laboratory but instead continues to work on the nursing unit
Decentralized Phlebotomy
During the rest of the day, the phlebotomist collects blood samples that are needed, handles patient care, and does point of care laboratory tests
Misidentification and miscommunication of the personnel
Disadvantage of Decentralized Phlebotomy
Hybrid Phlebotomy
A blend of centralized and decentralized phlebotomy
Hybrid Phlebotomy
It is applied to reduce the errors of decentralized phlebotomy
Hybrid Phlebotomy
Typically sends the laboratory-based phlebotomists to the nursing units during the early morning collections and then keeps a limited number of phlebotomist available the rest of the day to help patient care technicians with difficult collections
1) Dependable, Cooperative and Committed
2) Compassionate, Courteous and Respectful
3) Honesty, Integrity and Competence
4) Organized, Responsible and Flexible
Professional and Personal Traits of Phlebotomist
Dependable, Cooperative and Committed
Failure to appear or arriving late puts additional pressure on the staff members present
Dependable, Cooperative and Committed
Be willing to demonstrate your commitment to your job and your cooperation to assist fellow employees
Compassionate, Courteous and Respectful
They must be sensitive to their needs, understand a patient's concern about a possible diagnosis
Compassionate, Courteous and Respectful
Courteous phlebotomist introduce themselves to the patients before they approach them
Honesty, Integrity and Competence
The phlebotomist should never hesitate to admit mistake because a misidentified patient or mislabeled sample can be critical to patient safety
Honesty, Integrity and Competence
Phlebotomists must demonstrate competence in the procedure they are trained to perform
Organized, Responsible and Flexible
Always maintain an organized and well-stocked collection tray or station
1) Calm tone of voice
2) Compassionate and Kind
3) Steady hands
4) Sharp mind
5) Cheerful
6) Communication skills
7) High level of patience
8) Strong feet
Phlebotomist's Anatomy [Show Less]