PHLEBOTOMY

Defined as “an incision into a vein,” phlebotomy is one of the oldest medical procedures, dating back to
the early Egyptians.

The practice of “bloodletting” was used to cure disease and maintain the body in a state of well-being.
Hippocrates believed that disease was caused by an excess of body fluids, including blood, bile, and
phlegm, and that removal of the excess would cause the body to return to or maintain a healthy state.

Techniques for bloodletting included suction cup devices with lancets that pulled blood from the
incision; the application of blood-sucking worms, called “leeches,” to an incision; and barber surgery, in
which blood from an incision produced by the barber’s razor was collected in a bleeding bowl.

The familiar red and white striped barber pole symbolizes this last technique and represents red blood
and white bandages and the pole that the patients held on to during the procedure. Bloodletting is now
called “therapeutic phlebotomy” and is used as a treatment for only a small number of blood disorders.
It is performed using equipment designed to minimize patient discomfort and with aseptic techniques.

At present, the primary role of phlebotomy is the collection of blood samples for laboratory analysis to
diagnose and monitor medical conditions.

Because of the increased number and complexity of laboratory tests, phlebotomy has become a
specialized area of clinical laboratory practice and has brought about the creation of the job title
“phlebotomist.”

This development supplements, but does not replace, the previous practice, in which laboratory
employees both collected and analyzed the specimens. Phlebotomy still remains a part of laboratory
training programs for medical laboratory technicians and scientists because phlebotomists are not
available at all times and in all situations.

The specialization of phlebotomy has expanded rapidly and with it the role of the phlebotomist, who is
no longer just someone who “takes blood” but is recognized as a key player on the health-care team.

In this expanded role, the phlebotomist must be familiar with the health-care system, the anatomy and
physiology related to laboratory testing and phlebotomy, the collection and transport requirements for
tests performed in all sections of the laboratory, documentation and patient records, and the
interpersonal skills needed to provide quality patient care. These changes have brought about the need
to replace on-the-job training with structured phlebotomy training programs leading to certification in
phlebotomy. Because the phlebotomist is often the only personal contact a patient has with the
laboratory, he or she can leave a lasting impression of the quality of the laboratory and the entire
health-care setting.

A phlebotomist is a person trained to obtain blood samples primarily by venipuncture and micro
techniques.

In addition to technical, clerical, and interpersonal skills, the phlebotomist must develop strong
organizational skills to handle a heavy workload efficiently and maintain accuracy, often under stressful
conditions.
Traditional Duties Major traditional duties and responsibilities of the phlebotomist include:

1. Correct identification and preparation of the patient before sample collection

2. Collection of the appropriate amount of blood by venipuncture or dermal puncture for the specified
tests

3. Selection of the appropriate sample containers for the specified tests

4. Correct labeling of all samples with the required information

5. Appropriate transportation of samples back to the laboratory in a timely manner

6. Effective interaction with patients and hospital personnel

7. Processing of samples for delivery to the appropriate laboratory departments

8. Performance of computer operations and record-keeping pertaining to phlebotomy

9. Observation of all safety regulations, quality control checks, and preventive maintenance procedures
10. Attendance at continuing education programs