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Phlebotomy Tools

Phlebotomy, also synonymous with venipuncture, involves the process of collecting blood as performed by a medical practitioner via intravenous needle injection. Blood extraction requires gloves, gown, a perfectly sterilized needle, needle disposal unit, order form/requisition, evacuated collection tubes, tourniquet, holder/adapter, alcohol wipes, povidone-iodine wipes and swabs, gauze sponges, adhesive bandages and tape.

  1. Gloves

    • Begin by using gloves comprising latex, rubber, vinyl, etc. Gloves serve a necessary sanitation purpose in protecting the patient and phlebotomist/medical practitioner to prevent potential transfer or dissemination of disease. Always change gloves after use to avoid contamination. Make sure to determine potential skin allergies before using gloves, since some sensitive people may have a latex allergy.

    Gown

    • Always wear a lab coat or medical gown when handling blood and/or body fluid for the same sanitation purposes as using gloves. Use a different gown for each person to prevent contamination. Likewise, always wash your hands thoroughly before and after taking blood. The "Happy Birthday" song represents a standard measure for proper hand wash duration. Sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice, an adequate amount of time to sufficiently sterilize hands and kill germs.

    Sterilized Needle

    • Use a perfectly sterilized needle to prevent the spread and transfer of disease. Every needle displays a gauge number, inversely proportionate to its internal diameter. The larger gauge number corresponds with a smaller sized needle.

    Needle Disposal Unit

    • Store needles in a proper disposal unit immediately after use. Never break, bend, or recap any needle, as any destruction to the needle predisposes blood transfer and potential spread of disease, instigating a major sanitation/health hazard predicament.

    Order Form/Requisition

    • The Order Form/Requisition functions as a label of identification to properly identify the patient, doctor's name, phlebomotist initial, specimen, and testing purpose. These Order Form/Requisition labels adhere to the sample tube which properly displays patient's surname, patient ID number, accompanied by date, time, and initials of the phlebotomist.

    Evacuation Collection Tube

    • Evacuation collection tubes, or sample tube container, function like a vacuum, sucking blood from the needle into its small cylindrical container. The evacuation collection tubes collect a certain volume of blood, which varies depending upon available sizes. Never transfer blood to a different tube, since each tube contains different additives and/or coatings. If unavailable, a syringe may appropriately substitute for the sample tube.

    Tourniquet

    • The tourniquet, a device designed to stop bleeding, also works to control blood flow into sample tubes. Use alcohol wipes frequently, specifically 70 percent isopropryl alcohol, to wipe off a contaminated tourniquet. When collecting blood culture, use povidone-iodine wipes/swabs to further prevent any contamination or contagious spread of disease.

    Holder/Adapter

    • The holder/adapter connects to sample evacuation collection tube, holding it in place, preventing detachment of tube or needle, during venipuncture procedure.

    Gauze, Sponges, Adhesive Bandaids, & Tape

    • Use gauze sponge for application at the site of needle withdrawal. Make sure to use appropriate gauze, such as a translucent, Tegaderm dressing, if necessary, for situations that involve constant monitoring of IV site. Apply an adhesive Band Aid or tape, depending upon conditions, over gauze at the IV site to stabilize the area and prevent additional bleeding.

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