pmls

• Phlebotomy


  The act of drawing or removing blood from the circulatory system through a cut or puncture to obtain a sample for analysis and diagnosis
• Phlebotomy is also done as part of the patient's treatment for certain blood disorders
• Phlebotomy's history began as "Bloodletting" by the ancient Egyptians around 1000 BC
• Bloodletting was believed to cure diseases like acne or the plague and cast out evil spirits
• Bloodletting was thought to cure diseases by releasing stagnant blood that was believed to cause disease
• In the middle ages, bloodletting was performed by barber-surgeons who also did amputations and pulled teeth
• The red stripe on a barber pole originated from the time when barbers performed blood-letting
• In the 16th century, the job of bloodletting went back to physicians
• By the 1800s, bloodletting was popular and involved methods like incisions in veins or arteries, cupping, and leeches
• Bloodletting was used to cure various conditions like acne, asthma, cancer, cholera, coma, convulsions, diabetes, and epilepsy
• Bloodletting may have worked in some cases due to the placebo effect
• Phlebotomy today is used to acquire blood samples for diagnostic tests under a physician's orders
• Phlebotomy is a quick, safe, and virtually painless procedure performed by certified phlebotomists using sterile tools
• Duties of the Phlebotomist

  • Correct identification and preparation of the patient before sample collection
  • Collection of the appropriate amount of blood by venipuncture or dermal puncture for specified tests
  • Selection of appropriate sample containers
  • Correct labelling of all samples
  • Appropriate transportation of samples to the laboratory
  • Effective interaction with patients and hospital personnel
  • Processing of samples for delivery to the appropriate laboratory departments
  • Performance of computer operations and record-keeping
  • Observation of safety regulations, quality control checks, and preventive maintenance procedures
  • Attendance at continuing education programs
• Changes in the health-care delivery system have affected the duties of phlebotomists in many institutions
• Changes include cross-training of personnel to perform basic interdisciplinary bedside procedures and relocation of specialized equipment and personnel to patient-care units
• Changes in the health-care system may be referred to as patient-focused care
• Decentralization of phlebotomy


  Cross-training personnel working in patient units to perform phlebotomy or transferring phlebotomists to patient units and cross-training them to perform basic patient-care tasks
• Health care facilities categories

  • In-patient
  • Outpatient
• Levels of healthcare


  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Tertiary
• Other healthcare services


  • Ambulatory care
  • Homebound services
  • Public health services
• Additional duties of Phlebotomists

  • Training other health-care personnel to perform phlebotomy
  • Monitoring the quality of samples collected
  • Evaluation of protocols associated with sample collection
  • Performing and monitoring point-of-care testing (POCT)
  • Performing electrocardiograms
  • Performing measurements of patient’s vital signs
  • Collection of arterial blood samples
  • Collection of samples from central venous access devices (CVADs)
• Compassionate Phlebotomists


  • Their primary duty is drawing blood. They must be caring and understanding while performing their duties to make the patient feel comfortable and at ease
• Detail oriented Phlebotomists


  • Must draw the correct vials of blood, track vials, and enter data accurately. Attention to detail is crucial to avoid misplacing specimens or causing complications
• Hand-eye coordination for Phlebotomists

  • Drawing blood is a complicated task that requires successful performance on the first attempt to avoid patient discomfort or pain
• Flexible with Ability to Multitask for Phlebotomists


  • They must be able to handle a busy environment and successfully perform blood work tasks on multiple patients
• Phlebotomists must perform their duties successfully on the first attempt

  Patients will experience discomfort or pain if duties are not performed successfully on the first attempt
• Phlebotomists


  • Must be flexible with the ability to multitask
  • Must be team players
  • Must be respectful
  • Must be patient
  • Must be able to calm down patients
  • Must be responsible
  • Must have honesty and integrity
  • Must have a pleasing appearance
• Phlebotomists must have the ability to multitask


  Oftentimes meet tight deadlines and requests
• Phlebotomists must be team players

  Work well with other people in order to deliver the highest standard of care possible to patients
• Respectful


  • Phlebotomy technicians should provide respect to all patients
  • Respect is easily shown by introducing themselves prior to any procedure, greeting patients by their full name, asking permission to address by first name only, and providing step-by-step instructions
• Patient


  Phlebotomists should possess a high level of patience, especially when working with patients from various backgrounds and age groups
• Being Able to Calm Down Patients

  Ability to calm anxious patients and put them at ease is a desirable quality among healthcare professionals
• Responsible


  Phlebotomists must be responsible individuals, ensuring correct patient identification, venipuncture procedures, and labeling of evacuated tubes to avoid mistakes that could lead to misdiagnosis
• Honesty and Integrity


  Phlebotomists should admit mistakes, protect patient confidentiality, and never discuss patient information with unauthorized individuals
• Misidentified patient or mislabeled sample


  Can be critical to patient's safety
• Cafeteria and elevators are used by visitors and relatives, not just hospital employees
• Hospital employees can have family members and neighbors as patients
• Each organization specifies the dress code
• Guidelines for Pleasing Appearance

  • Clothing and laboratory coats/gowns must be clean and unwrinkled
  • Shoes must be clean, closed toed
  • Hair must be clean, neat, trimmed or tied
  • Fingernails must be clean and short