For more than 35 years, So You’re Going to Collect a Blood Specimen: An Introduction to Phlebotomy has served as a basic text and functional reference guide for phlebotomy. The latest edition emphasizes safety considerations for phlebotomists, other health care professionals, and patients—especially needlestick safety and prevention.\\Following the procedures outlined in this manual will minimize patient discomfort, ensure specimen integrity, and as much as possible provide protection against potential hazards of infectious disease. The illustrations provide step-by-step instructions for obtaining blood by venipuncture along with techniques for skin puncture and blood culture. The latest standards and regulations from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, The Joint Commission, OSHA, CDC, and CAP are incorporated. An extensive list of references and additional resources is included.\\The new 13th edition of this valuable resource includes information on: \\Fundamental techniques of phlebotomy \Proper laboratory practice, safety, and professionalism \Patient identification \Labeling of blood specimen tubes \Representative blood collection tubes and applications \Blood tube additives \Recommended order of draw for multiple specimens \Recommended volume limits for a single blood draw \Timed specimens \Blood collection equipment \Blood collection device and materials disposal \Collecting blood from babies, including blood spot specimens for neonatal screening programs \Finger puncture techniques for children and adults \Blood culture collection \Special techniques for difficult venipunctures \What to do if the patient has a reaction \Drawing blood from patients receiving intravenous fluids \Intraosseous cannulation for blood analysis \Collecting blood in special patient areas, including the psychiatric unit, reverse isolation, and the nursery.

Foreword -- Preface -- Why Is Collecting a Blood Sample Important? -- You and Your Patient -- How Do You Protect Your Patient and Yourself Using Standard Precautions? -- What Is Blood? -- Recommended Volume Limits for a Single Blood Draw -- How Is Blood Collected? -- Blood Collection Equipment -- Representative Blood Collection Tubes -- The Test Requisition -- Timed Specimens -- Sterility -- The Three-Minute Scrub -- Approaching the Patient -- The Venipuncture From an Arm Vein -- Recommended Order of Draw for Multiple Specimen Collection -- The Difficult Venipuncture -- Intravenous Fluids and the Venipuncture -- Disposal of Used Materials -- Identification and Labeling of the Blood Specimen Tube -- The Difficult Patient -- The Missing Patient -- The Patient Has a Reaction -- The Skin Puncture -- Obtaining Blood From Babies -- The Blood Smear -- The Blood Culture -- Collecting Blood Specimens Under Special Circumstances -- Your Safety -- Your Attitude -- Appendix 1: Drawing Blood From Existing Intravascular Devices -- Appendix 2: Intraosseous Cannulation Used for Blood Analysis and Infusion -- Appendix 3: Additional Resources -- Appendix 4: Quality Assurance Summary and Monitors - Index.