Phlebotomy Supplies – What You Need

In developing third world nations, the most commonly used tools to collect blood are a needle and syringe. However, in western cultures, such as North America, certified phlebotomists use a wide array of phlebotomy supplies and tools. Through training courses, volunteering and work experience, a phlebotomist becomes highly familiar with all the tools of their trade, and how to operate them in a safe and highly hygienic, sterilized manner.

The amount of training a phlebotomist receives is dictated solely by the preference of the course they choose to attend. However, most phlebotomy courses provide between 150 to 230 hours of training, which, aside from a wide variety of course types and required skills, also demonstrates and teaches the aspiring phlebotomists how to properly utilize the tools they will be required to become accustomed to.

Phlebotomists are required to know how to operate properly as well as safely, use a wide array of equipment. Some of the most commonly utilized phlebotomy supplies are blood collections tubes and their various colored tops for corresponding meanings, needles and needle components, multiple draw needles, built in needle safety devices, butterfly needles, lancets, syringes, tourniquets, sterilization materials, bandaging materials, blood culture bottles, gloves, and disposal containers.

As the primary (though not only), task of most phlebotomists is collecting blood samples, the primary phlebotomy supplies are therefore a needle, and all its corresponding components.
There are many types of patients that a phlebotomist will be required to draw blood from, and just as there are many patients, there also exists just as many techniques by which to draw blood from each type of patient, as well as a special type of needle to accomplish the job. In the UK and US, most blood collection is done utilizing an evacuated tube system, consisting of a plastic hub, hypodermic needle, and a vacuum tube. Butterfly needles in conjunction with syringes are also commonly used.

However, just as important as the needle, is the method by which the used needles are disposed of and the equipment which corresponds with this task as well. Phlebotomy sterilization materials often include Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), often in prep pad form, povidone-iodine solution, and swabs.

Phlebotomists are also trained to utilize sharps disposal containers to dispose of used needles. These may be found in patient rooms, but may also be available on phlebotomy trays also. Phlebotomy trays are used to carry blood samples to a patient’s bedside and should be kept sanitized on a daily basis.

Sanitization of the trays is done using a 10% bleach solution or additional appropriate disinfectant. Finally, all phlebotomists are advised to wear gloves at all times. This limits the possible exposure to blood or other infectious body fluids, or contaminated items and surfaces.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 21st, 2010 at 12:49 am and is filed under Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.