Phlebotomy (drawing blood) (Venupuncture)
Make sure you know the indication of blood taking first before you decide to take the blood for the patient
- Prepare equipments for blood taking - wash hands, take non sterile gloves, needles, syringes (correct size), and the revelant laboratory tubes, tourniquet like gloves, alcohol swab, clean gauze, labelling on the tubes as well and laboratory forms
- Ask for consent - this is helpful for both the patient and the health worker. Reasoning,and full cooperation is explained. Check is it the patient that is required for blood taking, find out if he has allergies or phobia towards injections. Reassurance.
- Location - the site is important, inspection of the site first. Locate a good sized vein which is straight and visible. Median cubital vein is the easiest to puncture. After locating for the site, apply tourniquet about 4 fingers width above the venupuncture site and reexamine. Use 2 fingers and tap on the vein if it is still not visible enough.
- Protection - Wash your hands and wear the gloves
- Clean the site with alcohol swab for 30 sec and allow it to dry completely.
- Venupuncture - hold the patient's arm and place a thumb below the venupuncture site, patient can make a fist for prominent veins. Enter the veins at 30 ddegrees and continue to introduce the needle in. Draw the blood and once sufficient blood is collected, release the tourniquet before withdrawing the needle or as soon as blood flow is established. Withdraw needle gently and apply pressure to the site with clean gauze or cotton. Discard the needle and fill the blood into the tube. If no rubber stopper, press the plunger slowly to reduce haemolysis.
- Place the stopper on the tubes and fill in the forms. Mix the blood before dispatch. Discard the syringe in the yellow bin for sharp objects. Check the labels and forms again. Hand hygience.
