Phlebotomy
| Phlebotomy | |
|---|---|
| Intervention | |
 Students practicing phlebotomy |
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| ICD-9-CM | 38.99 |
| MeSH | D018962 |
Phlebotomy ("to cut a vein" in Greek) is the process of making an incision in a vein. It is associated with venipuncture, the practice of collecting venous blood samples, and bloodletting, the ancient medical practice. A person who performs phlebotomy is termed a phlebotomist, although doctors and nurses do a proportion of phlebotomy in many countries.[citation needed]
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Phlebotomists[edit]
Phlebotomists are people trained to draw blood from a live person or animal for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. Phlebotomist are trained in a certification program; this program can be online, but must also include a certain number of hours of practical training in drawing blood. Phlebotomists collect blood primarily by performing venipuncture and, for collection of minute quantities of blood, fingersticks.[1] Blood may be collected from infants by means of a heel stick.
Some countries and districts/states require phlebotomy personnel to be licensed or registered:
Australia[edit]
In Australia, there are a number of courses in Phlebotomy offered by educational institutions, but training is typically provided on the job. The minimum primary qualification for Phlebotomists in Australia is a Certificate III in Pathology HLT 32607 or a Certificate IV in Pathology HLT41807 (from an approved educational institution), current senior first aid certification must be included.[2]
United Kingdom[edit]
In the UK there is no requirement for holding a formal qualification or certification prior to becoming a phlebotomist as training is usually provided on the job. The NHS offers training with formal certification upon completion.[3]
United States[edit]
Certification in the United States is done by examination from the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians and other societies.[citation needed] To qualify for an examination you must usually take a course or class that is there to give you the required hours of training that you need to qualify for a test.
History[edit]
Early Phlebotomists used techniques such as leeches to extract blood from the body. It was used as a healing process, thought to remove toxins from the blood stream.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Jeon BR, Seo M, Lee YW, Shin HB, Lee SH, Lee YK (2011). "Improving the blood collection process using the active-phlebotomist phlebotomy system". Clinical Laboratory 57 (1-2): 21–7. PMID 21391461.
- ^ http://www.aims.org.au/documents/item/246
- ^ http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/wider-healthcare-team/careers-in-the-wider-healthcare-team/clinical-support-staff/phlebotomist/
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