| Phlebotomy is the process of piercing the | | | | Phlebotomy is safe when done by a |
| flesh with a needle in order to enter a vein | | | | well-trained professional. The phlebotomist |
| and extract blood from the body. This is | | | | bears in mind factors such as the bruising of |
| also known as venipuncture. The terminology | | | | the skin where it is punctured, inflammation |
| comes from the Greek word "phlebo" meaning | | | | of veins, and possible chances of infection |
| vein, and "tom" meaning cut. Most often the | | | | at the punctured sites while performing |
| blood is used for diagnostic (testing) | | | | venipunctures or skin punctures. The skin |
| purposes and at times this process can be | | | | puncture is done using finger sticks wherein |
| done to replace blood loss (transfusion). | | | | small blood samples need to be collected. In |
| Regular phlebotomy is undergone by patients | | | | the case of infants, a heel stick is used. |
| who have too much iron in their blood or are | | | | At times it may be required to draw blood |
| producing too many red blood cells. Removal | | | | from arteries or capillary beds; a specimen |
| of blood decreases the excess level of iron | | | | which is easily done by these trained |
| in the red blood cells. | | | | professionals. Phlebotomists may at times be |
| | | | required to ascertain stool and urine sample |
| You may have faced a situation in which you | | | | collection and testing. Phlebotomists do not |
| needed to donate blood, or perhaps took part | | | | administer drugs or any intravenous fluids |
| in a blood group test. You may have realized | | | | that require injections. |
| that you did not experience any discomfort or | | | | |
| pain when the needle was inserted into the | | | | In the United States the phlebotomists are |
| vein to draw blood, or even while it was | | | | unlicensed medical care professionals, except |
| being removed. The person who administered | | | | in the state of California. In California, |
| this procedure to you was, in fact, a | | | | licensing is mandatory for phlebotomists in |
| Phlebotomist trained in phlebotomy. | | | | order to work with any clinical laboratory, |
| | | | hospital, research institution, public health |
| A Phlebotomist is a person who has the | | | | clinics or blood bank. |
| ability to find a vein beneath the skin, | | | | |
| inject the needle and extract blood with | | | | Those who have undergone vocational training, |
| ease, even within seconds. They also monitor | | | | graduated in phlebotomy or spent |
| blood pressure and pulse in situations like | | | | approximately two years in the field should |
| blood transfusions or blood donation at the | | | | enroll in a certification course. This will |
| blood banks. Phlebotomists are integral and | | | | help with proficiency in human anatomy, |
| vital members of the healthcare team, as the | | | | technical skills, interpersonal skills, lab |
| blood they collect is used for diagnostic | | | | safety rules, as well as compliance with CDC |
| testing which helps the physicians to make | | | | & OSHA requirements. In addition, many other |
| informed decisions. They also act as life | | | | pre-requisites such as blood collection |
| guardians with their services at the blood | | | | techniques, specimen record management and |
| banks encouraging blood donation campaigns. | | | | data entry maintenance for the purposes of |
| | | | report generation, will be covered. |