A successful phlebotomist knows that staying abreast of new innovations and technologies is a necessary part of the position. As new technologies are developed and introduced, the medical profession must advance with them. Drawing blood regularly promotes skills in the practical field, but this coupled with the instruction in school isn’t the only demand of the job.
Proper technique spares dangerous errors in false or incomplete test results. When the blood is taken, the right procedures will ensure that the patient isn’t hurt and doesn’t suffer greatly from the experience. A number of problems can ensue if the phlebotomist does a bad job such as hematomas, nerve injury, or anticoagulant reflux. Improper handling of samples can also cause a compromise in results.
The first checkpoint for a patient is to determine the correct identification. This can be done verbally if the patient is capable, or by a wristband if the patient is not conscious. While taking blood, the phlebotomist must regard the feelings of the patient by letting him or her know what the procedure requires.
Labeling of collection tubes and correctly identifying samples is important to a good phlebotomist, as well as using those materials that are specified by the doctor or technical staff. Different types of blood have to be handled differently, and the phlebotomist has to know that.
There’s a bit of an art to locating the best area to draw the blood from and minimize the pain to the patient. There is also an order to drawing blood and following these guidelines lessens the chances of something going amiss with the samples. Blood placed in the collection tubes must be documented immediately to be certain that the technicians know who it belongs to and what tests are to be performed.
The phlebotomist must learn to note the general health of the patient when taking blood in the various ways that include finger sticking, capillary puncture, and venipuncture. It is important to document gender, allergies or health problems, and all medications the patient is taking. Every patient must be told what to expect and how to prepare for the procedure.
All the variables concerning the patient and the procedure are documented at the time the blood is taken down to the exact location of the tourniquet. The phlebotomist knows where the primary, secondary, and all alternative areas from which to draw blood are. It is of great importance to know how to control infection and keep the patient and everyone else concerned safe during the procedure and follow up.
Each individual is different, and this means a phlebotomist must learn how differences affect the procedure and the patient. The accomplished blood taker uses the information of the patient to make decisions about how best to proceed.
Anyone taking blood has to be able to change a set procedure because of extenuating circumstances. If properly trained in phlebotomy, the different options are known ahead of time so there is no problem for the person drawing the sample to do whatever it takes to perform the procedure, and the trained individual will make fewer mistakes.
