Special Topics in Phlebotomy

Authors: Mary Ertl Dettmann, MA, CLS, MLS(ASCP); Beth Kratzer, CLS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General: 1 hour(s)

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This program is designed as an educational and training tool for laboratory personnel, phlebotomists, and other healthcare personnel who perform blood collections. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science and phlebotomy students.

Objectives

  • Recognize and react appropriately to an adverse patient reaction during the performance of phlebotomy.
  • Respond appropriately to age, cultural, and ethnic differences while performing phlebotomy procedures.
  • Obtain a specimen for a blood culture in a manner that does not result in contamination.
  • Explain how to obtain specimens that are appropriate for special laboratory tests.
  • Explain the importance of team dynamics and how they affect quality patient care.

Course Outline

  • Patient-Centered Care
    • Introduction
    • Effective Communication
    • Sample Integrity
    • How might patient harm result from each of these problems related to phlebotomy services? Consider your answer and then click on the defined problem to reveal the potentially harmful result(s) of the action or condition.
  • Patient Age Considerations
    • Pediatric Patients
    • Hints for Successful Pediatric Venipuncture
    • Reducing Pain for Pediatric Patients
    • Geriatric Patients
    • Case Study One
    • Case Study One: Discussion
  • Patients with Special Needs
    • Patients with Needle Phobia
    • Mentally and Physically Disabled Patients
  • Communication and Interaction with Patients
    • Language Barriers
    • Cultural Diversity and the Phlebotomist
  • Adverse Reactions During Phlebotomy
    • What to Do if the Patient Feels Faint
    • Hematoma
    • Clean Up Your Act
    • Case Study Two
    • Case Study Two: Discussion
  • Special Collections for Laboratory Tests
    • Glucose Tolerance Testing
      • Screening for Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes
      • Standard and Post Prandial Glucose Tolerance Testing
      • Test for Gestational Diabetes
      • Case Study Three
      • Case Study Three: Discussion
    • Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
      • Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
      • Peaks and Troughs
      • Collection and Communication
      • True or False: To assess drug concentrations during the trough phase, blood should be drawn about one hour after administering an oral dose of the drug.
    • Blood Cultures
      • Blood Culture Overview
      • Proper Collection of a Blood Culture
      • Use of Aseptic Techniques
      • Collect the Correct Volume of Blood
      • Keep Culture Bottles at Room Temperature in Transport
      • Use the Correct Order of Draw
      • Which of the following blood culture collection techniques could cause a false-positive blood culture result?
    • Special Collection Tubes
      • Special Tests May Mean Special Collections
    • Detours from the Routine Trail
      • Procedure for Using a Winged Blood Collection Device to Collect a Specimen for Coagulation Tests
      • Collection from a Vascular Access Device (VAD)
      • Intravenous Line
    • Conclusion
      • Become and Remain a Competent Professional
    • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This program is designed as an educational and training tool for laboratory personnel, phlebotomists, and other healthcare personnel who perform blood collections. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science and phlebotomy students.
Author Information:
Mary Ertl Dettmann, MA, CLS, MLS(ASCP) is the education supervisor for Wheaton Franciscan Laboratory in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. She has created several interactive, adult-learning courses in laboratory-related subjects including phlebotomy.
Beth Kratzer, CLS, MLS(ASCP) is a Clinical Trainer in the Education Department at Wheaton Franciscan Laboratories in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire in 1981 and obtained a Certificate of Professional Training from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004. In addition to many years of technical experience in the hospital environment, Beth has been involved in the creation, implementation and facilitation of educational and training programs for healthcare associates since 2001.
Reviewer Information: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.