This article will be all about the step by step procedure of phlebotomy. Phlebotomy is the process of extracting blood from the vein or the skin of the patient for analysis and series of tests. To properly perform phlebotomy, the phlebotomist should follow these steps:

• Recognize the patient – it is very important to know and verify the name of the patient and the date of birth for identification purposes. For patients admitted in the hospital, they are being recognized through their wristbands
• Give assurance to the patient – you need to inform the patient about the blood requirements that is needed for the test
• Be organized – make sure that you already prepared the necessary materials to be used
• Correct positioning – you should guide and instruct the patient for the appropriate arm position in order to get the blood specimen accurately
• Keep a sharp mind and keen eye – before you perform phlebotomy, you have to identify the correct vein for vein puncture in order to avoid any circumstances such as injury, pain and swelling. The most common veins that are used to extract the blood are the large basilic, and cepahalic and median cubital veins.
• Be gentle – place the tourniquet above the extraction site and should not be kept more than one minute. If the procedure will take place after one minute, remove the tourniquet for 2 minutes then put it again before the procedure.
• Cleansing – sanitize and clean the extraction site using a cotton ball and antiseptic to wipe out dirt and bacteria. This should be done in a circular cycle starting from inside then out to avoid contamination of the specimen. Keep your hands off the extraction site. You should wait for the extraction area to dry before you continue the procedure.
• Proceed with the vein puncture – in order to perform phlebotomy well, insert the needle below the extraction site, keeping the needle along the line of the vein. With a swift and careful thrust, move the needle into the vein. Extract the blood and remove the tourniquet. Put cotton on the extraction site and then quickly release the needle. With a little pressure, massage the site until bleeding stops. And then put a bandage on it.
• Specimen transfer – choose the proper container or tube for the blood sample to avoid contamination
• Proper labeling – properly label the tube with patient’s identification
• Proper disposal – properly dispose the used syringe and needle to avoid the spread of infection and diseases and to avoid contamination as well
• Testing and analysis – this is the last step that you will do after you perform phlebotomy. You should immediately bring the blood specimen to the laboratory for examination.

To successfully perform phlebotomy, you must understand the concept and analyze how these steps were properly done. This is not just a simple blood extraction. This is for a successful specimen analysis and diagnosis.

We should always aim the best in everything that we do and we should not be merely satisfied with being mediocre in your skills. That is why if you are a Phlebotomist mastering venipuncture technique should be your goal in order to become the best Phlebotomist that you can be and master the Venipuncture procedure.

How will you master the Venipuncture procedure ?

So now that you are already dedicated in mastering your craft in Phlebotomy. A simple internet search can do wonders and help you master in this field. There are so many venipuncture procedure videos online that you can watch. By watching these Phlebotomy procedure videos you get to watch different phlebotomists and their different techniques. You can learn a few tips here and there by watching and observing Phlebotomy procedure videos.

Using the Butterfly needles

There are different kinds of needles that a Phlebotomist can choose to use depending on the situation. Phlebotomists should consider their patient when choosing what kind of needle to use. Part of mastering the Venipuncture procedure is knowing what kind of needle to use with what patient.

As a master of Phlebotomy you should be aware of the butterfly venipucture procedure. The butterfly venipunture procedure is using the butterfly needle in the drawing of blood. In order to use the wing-tipped butterly needles you would need to be familiar with the needles as well as have lots of practice or mastery of the butterfly venipucture procedure in order to be able

to correctly insert the needle and also to be able to stabilize the collecting of blood.

What is a Venipuncture Procedure code?

Part of mastering Phlebotomy is being aware of the Venipuncture procedure code.  The Venipucture procedure code is a kind of CPT-Current Procedural Terminology. This is a series of numbers or codes that are given to a specific procedure.  The medical practicioner who conducted the procedure may give it to a patient who in turn will give it to his health care provider and this will be used to determine the amount which will be reimbursed to the practioner.

For Billing routine venipuncture, phlebotomist will use code 36415 as Venipuncture procedure code. For venipuctures that necessitates the physician’s skill, they will use the code 36410. There are many other ways to master Venipuncture , which you must continue on achieving those techniques to become the best Phlebotomist  that you can be and an inevitable master the art of Phlebotomy.

For more information on phlebotomy training, feel free to explore the website!