For Patients
What is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is the act of drawing blood either for testing or for transfusion. Phlebotomy has traditionally been a skill employed by doctors and other allied healthcare professionals including medical assistants, paramedics and clinical laboratory scientists
As healthcare is a rapidly expanding industry a new professional the “Phlebotomists” helps to reduce the workload of doctors and nurses by focusing exclusively on blood collection particularly in hospitals and GP practices.
Depending on the specific requirements of the organisations they work for Phlebotomists may work on site or travel to their patients [domiciliary or community phlebotomists] often to patients home, nursing homes, or outpatient clinics to collect blood samples.
What Else Can a Phlebotomist Do?
"I am so happy to have a proactive phlebotomy association to guide me and advertise my skills.”
The most common side effects
Side effects are few and usually very minor and temporary.
Bruising – Patients may have a small bruise or mild pain at the venepuncture site for a few days.
Infection – All equipment is sterile and hygiene standards strictly followed, however similar to any invasive procedure, there is a small risk of infection of the vein (phlebitis) or overlying skin (cellulitis) There is no risk of transmitting HIV or hepatitis infection through this procedure since all needles are disposed of after a single-use.
Hematoma formation/ Excessive Bleeding – This may occur after venepuncture in people who take blood thinning tablets such as warfarin. To prevent it, the patient is asked to apply direct pressure on the site with a cotton gauze for at least 5 minutes. Patients on anticoagulant therapy might need to apply pressure for a longer time.
Nerve injury – In rare cases, during the procedure, a nearby nerve may get touched by the needle resulting in some hypersensitivity.
Syncope or Passing Out – Some patients manifest a vasovagal response during or just after the procedure. Patient’s blood can be taken lying down and patients can away from the phlebotomy site, equipment, and blood-filled tubes.
Most people feel pleasantly relaxed and experience no symptoms at all.
Is Phlebotomy Safe
Phlebotomy is a very common procedure and it is very safe providing that you do not have certain contra-indications. It is important that you share with your practitioner if you:
- If you are taking any anticoagulants, immunosuppressants or any other medication.
- Skin conditions like cellulitis or abscess that can cause direct seeding of infectious agents (e.g. bacteria) into the blood.
- Presence of a hematoma (bleeding under the skin).
- Presence of a vascular shunt or graft.
- Presence of a vascular access device.
Phlebotomy is often called venepuncture as blood is usually taken from veins which return blood to the heart at low pressure and therefore much more easy to take blood from, have less complications and side effects. Arteries are used to take blood for certain types of tests although these are rare and carried out by a doctor and not a phlebotomist.
What can I expect?
Before any bloods are taken your practitioner will ask you a few questions regarding your personal details, your medical history, previous blood taking appointments and possibly if you have eaten or not recently.
They will then check one of both of your arms for veins which is done by feel and not necessarily by seeing a vein on the surface. Once the best site for taking blood has been decided you will be asked to provide for consent to take blood. You will need to close the hand of the chosen arm and the area will be disinfected and a tourniquet applied to increase the pressure in the vein. A needle will be inserted and once in the correct position bloods will be taken which may require a number of differently coloured tubes to be filled with small amounts of blood. Whilst the last tube is filling up the tourniquet is removed. The needle is then taken out and a small cotton wall ball will be applied which you can apply pressure to to keep in place. After 30-60 seconds this can be removed and a small plaster is applied to the area.
Find a Phlebotomist
Finding the right Phlebotomist can be a daunting task. As a professional membership body representing highly qualified Phlebotomists in the UK, we ensure that our members adhere to the highest standards of practice. Our members are located throughout the UK and Ireland, so you can easily discover the best practitioners in your local area. Simply click on the button below to access our map of the UK and find the right practitioner for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phlebotomists usually use different types of needles for different tests and some tests only need a finger prick to gain a couple of drops of blood and so use very fine needles usually with a fast injector which makes this almost painless. Other tests such as gut bacterial testing may use faeces, urine, sperm or saliva testing where no needles are used.
A Phlebotomist can carry out the majority of any tests required by your doctor or healthcare professional, but they can also offer a wide range of private tests for vitamins, hormones, gut bacteria and other types of testing.
Your phlebotomist will use fine, sterilised, single-use needles for your treatment. Most people notice a slight scratch as the needle enters through the skin but then is usually is painless or you may feel a very subtle ache.