Phlebotomy is the process of making a puncture in a vein, usually in the arm or hand, with a cannula for the purpose of drawing blood.[1] The procedure itself is known as a venipuncture, which is also used for intravenous therapy. A person who performs a phlebotomy is called a phlebotomist, although most doctors, nurses, and other technicians can also carry out a phlebotomy.[2] In contrast, phlebectomy is the removal of a vein.
Phlebotomies that are carried out in the treatment of some blood disorders are known as therapeutic phlebotomies.[3] The average volume of whole blood drawn in a therapeutic phlebotomy to an adult is 1 unit (450–500 ml) weekly to once every several months, as needed.[4]
Etymology
From Ancient Greek: φλεβοτομία (phlebotomia – phleb 'blood vessel, vein' + tomia 'cutting'), via Old French: flebothomie (modern French phlébotomie).[citation needed]
Armed Services Blood Program video of phlebotomyBlood is collected from a vein by a phlebotomist
Phlebotomies are carried out by phlebotomists – people trained to draw blood mostly from veins for clinical or medical testing, transfusions, donations, or research. Blood is collected primarily by performing venipunctures, or by using capillary blood sampling with[5]fingersticks or a heel stick in infants for the collection of minute quantities of blood.[6] The duties of a phlebotomist may include interpreting the tests requested, drawing blood into the correct tubes with the proper additives, accurately explaining the procedure to the person and preparing them accordingly, practicing the required forms of asepsis, practicing standard and universal precautions, restoring hemostasis of the puncture site, giving instructions on post-puncture care, affixing tubes with electronically printed labels, and delivering specimens to a laboratory.[7] Some countries, states, or districts require that phlebotomists be licensed or registered.[citation needed]
In Australia, there are a number of courses in phlebotomy offered by educational institutions, but training is typically provided on the job. The minimum primary qualification for phlebotomists in Australia is a Certificate III in Pathology Collection (HLT37215) from an approved educational institution.[10]
In the UK no formal qualification or certification is required prior to becoming a phlebotomist as training is usually provided on the job. The NHS offers training with formal certification upon completion.[11]
In South Africa learnerships to qualify as a Phlebotomy Technician are offered by many public and private educational institutions as well as by private academies owned up by pathology laboratories (such as Ampath Laboratories, Lancet, PathCare) and healthcare service providers (such as Netcare, South African National Blood Service). Some of the larger retail pharmacy chains offering in-store clinical services (such as Clicks, Dis-Chem) also provide training for aspirant phlebotomists. Certification can be obtained from a number of examination and testing institutions. To work as a phlebotomist in South Africa, registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is required.
Usually drawn first for minimal risk of contamination.[13] Two bottles are typically collected in one blood draw; one for aerobic organisms and one for anaerobic organisms.[14]
A phlebotomy draw station is a place where blood is drawn from patients for laboratory testing, transfusions, donations, or research purposes. The blood is typically drawn via venipuncture or a finger stick by a healthcare professional such as a phlebotomist, nurse, or medical assistant.[21]
The draw station typically includes a padded chair or a bed for patients prone to fainting during blood draws.
Draw stations can be found in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, blood donation centers, and independent laboratories or as part of patient service centers (PSC).
Early phlebotomists used techniques such as leeches and incision to extract blood from the body. Bloodletting was used as a therapeutic as well as a prophylactic process, thought to remove toxins from the body and to balance the humors. While physicians did perform bloodletting, it was a specialty of barber surgeons, the primary provider of health care to most people in the medieval and early modern eras.
↑This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license. Betts, J Gordon; Desaix, Peter; Johnson, Eddie; Johnson, Jody E; Korol, Oksana; Kruse, Dean; Poe, Brandon; Wise, James; Womble, Mark D; Young, Kelly A (July 28, 2023). Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax CNX. 18.1 An overview of blood. ISBN978-1-947172-04-3.
↑"FAQ". National Association of Phlebotomists. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
↑Jeon BR, Seo M, Lee YW, Shin HB, Lee SH, Lee YK (2011). "Improving the blood collection process using the active-phlebotomist phlebotomy system". Clinical Laboratory. 57 (1–2): 21–7. PMID21391461.
↑"Best practices in phlebotomy". WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood. World Health Organization. 2010.
↑Castellini MA, Castellini JM, Kirby VL (1992). "Effects of standard anticoagulants and storage procedures on plasma glucose values in seals". J Am Vet Med Assoc. 201 (1): 145–8. doi:10.2460/javma.1992.201.01.145. PMID1644639.
