Real-Life Communication
Drawing blood from patients is a medical procedure with risks for
both patients and care providers. To help minimize the risk of contracting
hepatitis or AIDS, phlebotomists follow a strict set of universal precautions.
They
also follow a set of procedures to ensure that the patient is not put in any
medical danger.
Using the information below, write a memo for a new
phlebotomist. You want to detail the correct procedure for drawing blood.
You don't have to cover all the material. Be sure to include not only some
of the rules, but also the reasons behind them.
Universal Precautions
A.
Gloves
- Wear gloves for all patient contact when body fluids are involved.
- Change gloves between patients and when gloves are soiled or torn.
- Wash hands thoroughly after removing gloves.
- Remove gloves before touching telephones, charts, computers, monitors,
doorknobs, refrigerator handles, food, pens, pencils and elevator buttons.
The only exception to this is telephones designated as contaminated.
- Carry spare non-sterile vinyl exam gloves for use with unexpected contact
with blood and body fluids.
B. Gowns
Wear water-repellent gowns when soiling
with blood or body fluids is anticipated.
C. Mask, Goggles and
Glasses
Protect mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) by wearing
a mask, glasses or goggles when performing procedures where splashing of the
face is likely to occur.
Procedures
The following is
a suggested method of performing blood specimen collection:
- Make positive patient identification.
- Gather necessary equipment.
- Wash your hands.
- Wear non-sterile exam gloves.
- Explain test and planned procedure to patient.
- Position patient's arm in comfortable position.
- Select appropriate collection site.
- Place the tourniquet above the selected collection site. Do not leave
tourniquet on for longer than one minute.
- Clean site with alcohol using circular motion from center outward.
- Grasp arm one to two inches below the site to decrease vein rolling.
- Enter the vein with the needle up at a 15-degree angle.
- Fill necessary specimen containers.
- Release tourniquet.
- Place sharps in puncture-resistant sharps container.
- Apply gauze and tape holding pressure for at least five minutes if the
patient is receiving anticoagulants.
- Label the specimen containers, checking requisition for patient identification
and requested tests.
- Remove gloves and wash hands.
(From the University of Maryland at Baltimore's school of nursing)