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Unit 1: Introd to Phlebotomy�BellWork:�

Lesson 1: Introduction

What size needle is preferred?

What is considered fishing?

What is a bevel?

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Lesson 1 – Introduction

Phlebotomy

The process of collecting blood

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Lesson 1 – Introduction

Skin puncture

Blood from capillaries near the surface of the skin

Venipuncture

Blood from a vein

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Lesson 1 – Introduction

Phlebotomist

Certification in collecting and testing blood specimens

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Stop!

What is phlebotomy?

2. _______________________ collect a small amount of blood from the capillaries that are near the surface of the skin.

3. _______________________ is the collection of blood from a vein.

4. What is the name of the health care worker trained in collecting and testing blood specimens?

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Lesson 1 – Introduction

Safety

Handle blood with extreme care due to bloodborne pathogens

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Lesson 1 – Introduction

Standard safety precautions

Personal protective equipment

Hand washing

Sharps

Blood splatter

Vaccines and tests

Safety: Standard Precautions

Standard precautions are infection control practices that must be used by health care workers. The following precautions are specifically important during blood collection procedures:

Personal Protective Equipment: Health care workers should wear gloves during blood collection. Eyewear, masks, and gowns should also be worn if splashing or spraying is likely.

Hand washing: Health care workers must wash their hands before and after every procedure.

Sharps: Sharps are items that are used to puncture the skin or draw blood, such as a lancet or needle. After a sharp is used, it should immediately be disposed into a puncture-proof biohazard waste container. Never recap or break needles before throwing them away.

Blood Splatter: Clean up blood splatter with a disinfectant solution. Most facilities provide blood spill kits.

Vaccines and Tests: If a health care worker contacts a patient's blood, the health care worker and the patient must be tested for HBV and HIV. In addition, the CDC recommends that all health care workers receive the vaccine for HBV.

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Lesson 1 – Introduction

Aseptic technique

Before puncturing skin, cleanse area

Use sterile lancets and needles

After the procedure, cover puncture site with a bandage

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Stop!

5. What personal protective equipment should be worn for each procedure?

6. What should be done before puncturing the skin?

7. What should be done after the procedure?

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Unit 1: Introduction�to Phlebotomy

Lesson 2: Communication

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Lesson 2 – Communication

Communication

One of the most important parts of a phlebotomy procedure

Calm patient’s fears

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Lesson 2 – Communication

Greet the patient

Be friendly, outgoing, and sincere

Address patient by name

Tell patient your name

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Lesson 2 – Communication

Explain the procedure

Explain steps in lay terms

Provide reassuring answers to questions

Assure simple procedure though slight discomfort

Explain the Procedure

Before beginning a procedure, health care workers should carefully explain what is about to take place. Follow these guidelines to explain a phlebotomy procedure to a patient:

Explain the steps of the procedure in words the patient will understand. For example, instead of using the word "venipuncture," explain that you are going to draw blood from the vein.

Provide reassuring answers to any questions the patient has about the procedure. If the patient asks about the blood test or about an illness, refer the patient to the doctor.

Let the patient know that the procedure is simple, but it may cause slight discomfort. Do not tell the patient that the procedure will be pain-free. If the patient seems overly concerned about the pain, ask the patient to lie down on the exam table during the procedure. This may be more comfortable and will prevent complications if the patient faints.

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Lesson 2 – Communication

Communicate throughout the procedure

Carry on personal conversation to distract patient from procedure

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Stop!

Why is communication important in phlebotomy?
2. What are some good guidelines to follow when greeting a patient?
3. True or false: Explain the steps of the procedure in words the patient will understand.
4. True or false: The patient should be told that the procedure will be pain-free.
5. Why should health care workers carry on personal conversation?

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Unit 2: Skin Punctures, Microhematocrit and Hemoglobin

Lesson 1: Skin Punctures

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Lesson 1 – Skin Punctures

Skin punctures, capillary punctures, or “finger sticks”
Hemostasis - the process by which the body seals a ruptured blood vessel and prevents further loss of blood

Skin Punctures

One method of phlebotomy is skin puncture. Skin punctures are also called capillary punctures or "finger sticks." This method is used to collect a small amount of blood from the capillaries, which are just under the surface of the skin.

After drawing blood from a patient, phlebotomists are responsible for restoring hemostasis to the puncture site. Hemostasis is the process by which the body seals a ruptured blood vessel and prevents further loss of blood; hemo- meaning blood, and -stasis meaning stopping.

Hemostasis is the natural process that stops blood loss when an injury or venous puncture occurs. There are a few steps in the process. First, vasoconstriction, or narrowing of blood vessels occurs. Next, platelets adhere to one another creating what is known as a platelet plug. Coagulation, or clotting, occurs as the platelets are meshed together and held in place to stop the bleeding.

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Lesson 1 – Skin Punctures

Locations for skin punctures

Ring or middle fingers

Heels

Earlobes

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Lesson 1 – Skin Punctures

Skin punctures are used for the following tests

Microhematocrit

Hemoglobin

Blood Glucose

PKU

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Lesson 1 – Skin Punctures

Sterile lancet

Used for skin puncture procedures

Small blade for shallow puncture

Manual or automated

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Lesson 1 – Skin Punctures

Using a lancet

Puncture across the grain of the fingers

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Stop!

True or false: Skin punctures are for collecting a large amount of blood.

2.Where is the most common location for a skin puncture?

3. What is a sterile lancet?