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You are here: Geisinger Medical Laboratories > Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog > Blood Specimen Collection and ProcessingThe first step in acquiring a quality lab test result for any patient is the specimen collection procedure. The venipuncture procedure is complex, requiring both knowledge and skill to perform. Several essential steps are required for every successful collection procedure: Venipuncture Procedure:
Fingerstick Procedure:
Heelstick Procedure (infants):The recommended location for blood collection on a newborn baby or infant is the heel. The diagram below indicates the proper area to use for heel punctures for blood collection.
Order of Draw:Blood collection tubes must be drawn in a specific order to avoid cross-contamination of additives between tubes. The recommended order of draw is:
Labeling The SampleAll specimens must be received by the laboratory with a legible label containing at least two (2) unique identifiers. The specimen must be labeled with the patient's full name (preferably last name first, then first name last) and one of the following:
Areas to Avoid When Choosing a Site for Blood Draw:Certain areas are to be avoided when choosing a site for blood draw:
Techniques to Prevent Hemolysis (which can interfere with many tests):
Blood Sample Handling and Processing:Pre-centrifugation Handling - The first critical step in the lab testing process, after obtaining the sample, is the preparation of the blood samples. Specimen integrity can be maintained by following some basic handling processes:
Which of the following lancet position should a phlebotomist use for a capillary blood collection on a healthy adult patient?7.1.
The finger is usually the preferred site for capillary testing in an adult patient. The sides of the heel are only used in paediatric and neonatal patients.
Which of the following tubes should the phlebotomist draw first for a capillary collection?The order of draw is based on CLSI Procedures and Devices for the Collection of Capillary Blood Specimens; Approved Standard - Sixth Edition, September 2008. This standard recommends that EDTA tubes be drawn first to ensure good quality specimen, followed by other additive tubes and finally, serum specimen tubes.
When performing a capillary puncture the Lancet should penetrate about?The Lancet should penetrate approximately 2mm into site. Surgical puncture of a vein, also called phlebotomy. A phlebotomist is a person trained to perform this procedure.
What action should a phlebotomist take for an adult capillary puncture after cleaning the site?Phlebotomy 1. |