What are the steps in drawing blood?
The World Health Organization
- Identify The Vein. The first step in drawing blood correctly is to identify the appropriate veins to puncture. ...
- Gather Supplies. After identifying the site for the blood draw, gather the appropriate supplies needed. ...
- Venipuncture.
How to practice drawing blood?
Tips for Drawing Blood
- Always feel the vein rather than see it! ...
- If the veins are deep and not visibly popping out, use a tourniquet and have the patient lower their arm. ...
- Watch out for rolling veins! ...
- Don’t use a tourniquet if the vein is already visible or “popping out” because the added pressure of the tourniquet may blow the vein (causing the vein to collapse).
How to draw blood from hard to hit veins?
Using a tourniquet is something most people are used to seeing during difficult blood draws. They are popular because they are so useful. To use a tourniquet to draw blood correctly, you should tie it three or four inches directly above the puncture site. You should never tie it too tightly at first.
What is the difference between phlebotomy and donating blood?
Therapeutic phlebotomy involves the same procedure as blood donation; the primary difference is how often we give blood. Phlebotomy (aka venesection) may be recommended quite frequently for a person who has just been diagnosed with iron overload, especially if their ferritin levels are significantly elevated.
What vein do phlebotomists draw blood from?
VENIPUNCTURE SITE SELECTION: Although the larger and fuller median cubital and cephalic veins of the arm are used most frequently, the basilic vein on the dorsum of the arm or dorsal hand veins are also acceptable for venipuncture. Foot veins are a last resort because of the higher probability of complications.
What are the 3 main veins to draw blood?
The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).
What is the procedure for drawing blood?
Phlebotomy Definition Phlebotomy is the process of drawing blood intravenously from a patient. Phlebotomy is typically conducted by inserting a hollow needle into a patient's vein to collect blood samples for laboratory testing.
How do you draw blood from a vein?
10:3013:05Safe and Effective Blood Draw - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipForward pressure on the end of the tube to prevent release of the shutoff valve.MoreForward pressure on the end of the tube to prevent release of the shutoff valve.
What is the most important step in phlebotomy?
1. Planning ahead. This is the most important part of carrying out any procedure, and is usually done at the start of a phlebotomy session.
What is the most critical error a phlebotomist can make?
The most serious error is failure to properly identify the patient. Even if everything else is done perfectly, the final result will not apply to the patient incorrectly presumed to be the source.
What do you do if someone faints during blood draw?
If a patient faints during the venipuncture, immediately abort the procedure by gently removing the tourniquet and needle from the patient's arm, applying gauze and pressure to the skin puncture site, and calling for assistance. If the patient is seated, place the patient's head between his/her knees.
What happens if you hit an artery during venipuncture?
Hitting an artery can be painful and dangerous. Arterial blood travels away from the heart so whatever is injected goes straight to body limbs and extremities. Injection particles get stuck in blood capillaries and cut off circulation. This can result in a lack of blood flow, eventually causing the tissue to die.
What site should be avoided when performing a venipuncture?
Never draw above an IV site. The fluid may dilute the specimen, so collect from the opposite arm.
What is the easiest way to find veins?
1:405:52Tips For Locating Difficult Veins - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to be locating and pushing in those areas the median cubital kind of slightly bend theMoreSo you want to be locating and pushing in those areas the median cubital kind of slightly bend the arm a little bit and locating in the cephalic. Area and slightly bend the arm.
What is the easiest vein to draw blood?
median cubital veinFor adult patients, the most common and first choice is the median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa. Commonly referred to as the antecubital or the AC it can be found in the crevice of the elbow between the median cephalic and the median basilic vein.
How do you not miss a vein when drawing blood?
If the veins roll, which is common on the hand, tell the patient to make a fist, and pull down on the vein (an inch or two below the insertion point) when you go to stick. That will help steady the vein and prevent the vein from rolling.
What are the steps in drawing blood?
First, gather all of your supplies and discuss with your patient what you are going to be performing. Perform hand hygiene and don proper PPE. Next...
What are the 3 main veins to draw blood?
The three most commonly used veins for drawing blood are the median cubital, the cephalic, and the basilic veins.
How do you draw blood easily?
There is no easy way to draw blood. However, it does BECOME easier with practice. The more venipunctures you successfully obtain, the more successf...
How do you find the vein to draw blood?
There are two main ways to find a vein to draw blood. It can be done by palpating the vessel or via transillumination with a special light.
How to prepare a patient for a blood draw?
First, introduce yourself and ask for the patient's full name. Double check that the patient's name matches the name on the lab form. Ask if the patient has any allergies or has had any issues or complications during previous blood draws.
What equipment is needed for a blood draw?
Typically, this will include (but, not limited to): Blood collection tubes. Non-sterile gloves. An assortment of needles and syringes of different sizes.
How to puncture a vein?
Be sure to do this before removing the needle from the vein. Slowly withdraw the needle and gently apply pressure to the puncture site with a clean gauze or cotton ball.
How to stop hemolysis in a tube?
Pierce the tube stopper with the needle applying gentle and steady pressure. Be careful to NOT press the syringe plunger to reduce the risk of hemolysis. If the tube does not have a rubber stopper, inject the blood slowly into the tube to minimize pressure and again to reduce the chances of hemolysis.
Why is it important to disinfect the site before drawing blood?
It's important to disinfect the site before drawing blood to reduce the chances of contamination.
What to inspect with the patient's arm extended?
With the patient's arm extended, inspect the antecubital fossa.
What is the dilution of bleach?
For surfaces that won't tolerate a strong bleach, use a 1:100 dilution of 5.25% bleach solution.
What is a phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy, the practice of drawing blood from a vein, is a proficiency that all nurses should learn in their career. While not commonly taught in nursing school, programs recommend nursing students take extra courses to hone this skill.
Why is phlebotomy important in nursing?
Phlebotomy is essential for a variety of medical diagnoses, procedures, and tests. Without proper specimens, unhelpful or even harmful medical treatment could happen. Nursing schools do not teach this skill due to legality issues. Students should study venipuncture in books and watch licensed nurses in clinical settings perform this task. In doing so, this will enable students to learn basics prior to graduation.
What happens if blood is not inserted into a catheter?
If this does not happen then the needle has either not punctured the vein or the needle went through the vessel. Attach the needed tubes or syringes to remove the proper volume of blood. Remove the tourniquet as the last amount of blood is drawn.
Where is the AC vein?
Commonly referred to as the antecubital or the AC it can be found in the crevice of the elbow between the median cephalic and the median basilic vein.
Can you learn phlebotomy from watching videos?
The practice of phlebotomy is not something that can strictly be learned from watching videos or reading a how-to guide but something that must be practiced repeatedly in a controlled environment with other trained professionals.
Can a phlebotomy team draw a specimen?
Phlebotomy teams generally only make rounds at specific times in hospital settings, therefore, if a lab test is ordered immediately it could be the responsibility of the nursing staff to draw the specimen.
Does pumping your hand increase circulation?
Ask the patient to make a fist and not pump the hand. This is a common misconception - pumping the hand does not increase venous circulation.
Why should all staff be trained in phlebotomy?
All staff should be trained in phlebotomy, to prevent unnecessary risk of exposure to blood and to reduce adverse events for patients.
What is a dedicated phlebotomycubicle?
In an outpatient department or clinic, provide a dedicated phlebotomycubicle containing: a clean surface with two chairs (one for the phlebotomist and the other for the patient); a hand wash basin with soap, running water and paper towels; alcohol hand rub.
What is a sterile glass tube?
glass tubes with screw caps; a sterileglass or bleeding pack (collapsible) if large quantities of blood are to be collected; well-fitting, non-sterilegloves; an assortment of blood-sampling devices (safety-engineered devices or needles and syringes, see below), of different sizes; a tourniquet; alcohol hand rub;
What equipment is needed for a blood test?
The equipment required includes: a supply of laboratory sample tubes, which should be stored dry and upright in a rack; blood can be collected in. sterileglass or plastic tubes with rubber caps (the choice of tube will depend on what is agreed with the laboratory); vacuum-extraction blood tubes; or.
Why is quality assurance important in phlebotomy?
Quality assurance is an essential part of best practice in infection prevention and control (1). In phlebotomy, it helps to minimize the chance of a mishap. Table 2.1lists the main components of quality assurance, and explains why they are important.
Who is required to supervise blood sampling?
Supervision by experienced staff and structured training is necessary for all health workers, including physicians, who undertake blood sampling.
Is phlebotomy a safety device?
However, the use of such devices should be accompanied by other infection prevention and control practices, and training in their use. Not all safety devices are applicable to phlebotomy.
Order Of Draw Acronym
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Order Of Draw Infographic
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What can a phlebotomist do?
When a patient has this condition, a phlebotomist should be especially vigilant about safety and hygiene. By wearing protective gear and latex gloves, the blood draw may be easier for the patient.
Why should a phlebotomist pay attention to the patient?
The phlebotomist should always pay attention to the patient. She/he needs to know how the patient is feeling and keep talking to him/her so the patient remains engaged. This allows a phlebotomist the ability to monitor the patient closely.
Why use a butterfly needle instead of a vacutainer?
This is because it lies close to the surface and has fewer nerves. If the vein you want to draw from is small , consider using a butterfly needle with a syringe instead of the vacutainer system. When drawing from your patient’s hand, always use the butterfly needle system.
What to do if you try to draw blood twice with no success?
If you try to draw blood from a particular patient twice with no success, apologize and then ask another phlebotomist to perform the blood draw. Even patients who are not afraid of blood and needles will become agitated if you continue to stick with no success.
How to help veins pop up?
If you are having difficulty feeling a vein, close your eyes as you search. If you still have no success, you can use a warm compress to help it pop up. This keeps you from redirecting repeatedly while in the patient’s arm.
When placing a tourniquet on a patient's arm, do you put it on?
When placing the tourniquet on your patient’s arm, only put it on as tight as is necessary. Some people actually dread the tourniquet more than the needle!
Can alcohol burn after venipuncture?
Let the alcohol dry completely before beginning the venipuncture procedure. Otherwise, your patient will experience a burning sensation upon needle insertion. This burning can last for some time.
What veins do phlebotomists use for blood draws?
There are four common sites phlebotomists use for blood draws: median antecubital, cephalic, basilic and dorsal hand. While each vein is viable for a blood draw, it is important to understand each draw site’s potential risks.
How to make a vein visible to a phlebotomist?
Warm the area with a heating pad. This simple trick can enhance the vein’s visibility for the phlebotomist. Be careful as you do not want to burn the patient.
How to find veins in phlebotomy?
Try illuminating the vein. The phlebotomist may find a vein from the direct lighting of a flashlight rather than a standard ceiling light.
What to do if you can't locate a vein on a hard stick patient?
If you cannot successfully locate a vein on a hard stick patient, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Depending on the healthcare facility, there may be protocols in which other medical personnel must assist. Let the patient relax for 10-15 minutes and try again. Sometimes, time is the only thing that can help.
How long before a blood test can you drink coffee?
If you have a patient that is notorious for being a hard stick, tell the client to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine 24 hours before the test. Coffee, teas, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol can cause dehydration and the veins to shrink.
Where is the median antecubital vein?
MEDIAN ANTECUBITAL VEIN. The median antecubital vein is the most common for blood draws. It is in the inner arm, anterior of the elbow joint. This vein is associated with minimal pain and is the most prominent when anchored.
Where is the basilic vein?
BASILIC VEIN. Similar to the top two choices, the basilic vein is on the medial side of the arm. Drawing blood from this area does pose a greater likelihood of the vein rolling or collapsing because it is difficult to anchor. This vein is also closer to the artery and nerve which makes it more challenging to draw from.
When did phlebotomy become a California law?
Effective April 9, 2003, all persons performing phlebotomy who are not California-licensed physicians, nurses, clinical lab scientists, or other licensed professionals whose scope of practice does not include phlebotomy must be certified as a phlebotomist before they can draw blood. Certified medical assistants can draw blood in a physician’s office.
Can a BDP draw blood?
These requirements do not apply to anyone who is an MA, EMT, or BDP, or to other licensed persons whose scope of practice allows them to draw blood at certain locations. These new rules are for persons drawing blood as phlebotomists for diagnostic purposes, for example, for a hospital or clinical laboratory.
Can a phlebotomist draw blood?
No, an MA, EMT, or BDP, or other licensed person whose scope of practice allows him or her to draw blood at certain locations may not work as a certified phlebotomist drawing blood for diagnostic purposes in a clinical laboratory. These practitioners can only draw blood under the conditions specified in their scope of practice.
