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