understanding phlebotomy

• phlebos which means vein
• temnein which means to cut
• phlebotomy also called venesection
• phlebotomy is a process of collecting blood through the vein by using incision or puncture methods to draw blood for analysis or as part of therapeutic or diagnostic measures under the physician’s request
• practice of phlebotomy can be traced back on the stone age
• four humors

  1. earth- blood and brain
  2. air- phlegm and lungs
  3. fire- black bile and spleen
  4. water- yellow bile and gallbladder
• cupping is an alternative medicine that helps ease pain, inflammation, or other health related concerns. It involves the application of special heated suction cups on the patient’s skin and the incision that is made using a fleam (lancet) which is previously wiped with a rag
• Leeching, also known as hirudotherapy
• Leeching is a method that uses leeches for bloodletting and is currently used for microsurgical replantation. The process involves placing a drop of milk or blood on the patient’s skin and introducing Hirudo medicinalis (medicinal leech) to the site, allowing it to engorge and fall off. It is believed that the leeches inject local vasodilator, anesthetic and hirudin, which is an anticoagulant.
• Phlebotomy has evolved from simple bloodletting in the ancient times into a fundamental diagnostic tool in the healthcare industry today.
• The main goals of the Phlebotomy practice are: (1) for diagnosis and treatment using blood samples, (2) for transfusion, to remove blood from the donor, and (3) for removal of blood for polycythemia or therapeutic purposes.
• two main methods used in phlebotomy are:

  1. venipuncture- using a needle inserted in a vein
  2. capillary puncture- puncturing the skin
• Role of Phlebotomists:
• Collect blood samples for laboratory testing or for transfusion
• Properly label collected blood samples with necessary data to identify the patient
• Responsible for delivering or transporting collected samples within appropriate prescribed time limits
• In some institutions, phlebotomists also process collected blood samples by centrifuging and aliquoting samples ready for laboratory testing
• Assist in collecting other specimens such as urine and other non-blood samples from patients
• Main players in blood-letting activities, including drawing blood units from donors for transfusion to patients requiring whole blood or blood components
• traits that form the professional image of the phlebotomist:

  1. good manual dexterity
  2. special communication skills
  3. good organizational skills, through knowledge of laboratory specimen requirements
  4. training in phlebotomy skills coupled with standard practice
• A phlebotomist should be reassuring and pleasant when dealing with patients
• They should be able to communicate well despite cultural and social differences
• Maintain positive customer relations as they are the only contact of the patients from the clinical laboratory, and their attitudes may affect how the patient views the hospital services in general
• Understand the diversity of the patients and be able to adjust accordingly
• Patients come from various backgrounds and have different customs and traditions, beliefs, and values, and needs based on their environment and culture
• Professional appearance should be maintained by phlebotomists, wearing conservative clothing and observing proper personal hygiene always
• Phlebotomists must have self-confidence, especially because they would be directly expressing their decisions and judgments to patients and fellow co-workers
• Phlebotomists must be persons of integrity, exhibiting honesty and consistency in their actions, values, and beliefs
• As healthcare professionals, phlebotomists must show compassion, sensitivity to the needs of others, and the ability to stay calm and maintain a helpful demeanor towards those in need
• Phlebotomists are self-motivated, having a positive attitude and the initiative to follow through tasks and continuously look for areas of improvement
• Phlebotomists are dependable, observe proper work ethic, and take personal responsibility for their actions
• Phlebotomists display good ethical behavior, conforming with standards to avoid exposing patients to harm
• Verbal Communication

  • it involves expressing ideas through words
  • To be able to have effective communication in a healthcare setting, it is important that the sender (speaker) and receiver (listener) are able to accurately exchange ideas hampered by vagueness, confusion, and biases. Good phlebotomists use words that can be easily understood by the patient.
• Non-verbal Communication

  • A phlebotomist should be keen in observing the patient’s facial expressions and other non-verbal communication cues that could tell something about how the patient feels. 
  • non-verbal communication has many dimensions and elements that includes kinesics (body motion and language), proxemics (individual’s concept and use of space), appearance (attire), and touch (thoughtful expression) 
• Listening is a major part of communication
• It leads to better understanding of situations and instructions
• Phlebotomists build rapport by listening to their patients
• They should ensure that they have interpreted the message correctly by giving feedback
• Communication between healthcare professionals and patients is not always easy
• Issues may arise on how the patients should be handled