Perform a Venipuncture Collect a Venous Blood Sample Using the Vacuum Tube Method

Summary

This instructional video script outlines the steps for collecting a venous blood specimen using the vacuum tube technique. It emphasizes the importance of verifying patient identity, explaining the procedure, and obtaining consent. The process includes selecting the appropriate arm and vein, applying a tourniquet, and performing the venipuncture with a needle and vacuum tubes. The script also covers safety measures, such as releasing the tourniquet before needle removal, applying pressure to the puncture site, and proper disposal of materials. Finally, it details labeling and documenting the procedure, ensuring a comprehensive guide for blood collection.

Takeaways

• 📝 Always read the provider's order and clarify any questions before starting the procedure.
• 🧪 Gather the appropriate tubes and supplies as specified on the requisition form.
• 🥼 Wear a fluid-impermeable lab coat and other necessary personal protective equipment.
• 🔍 Verify the patient's identity using at least three identifiers to ensure accuracy.
• 🗣️ Communicate clearly with the patient, explaining the procedure and obtaining their permission.
• 👀 Use protective eyewear and maintain hand hygiene to prevent contamination.
• 💉 Choose the arm for venipuncture based on the patient's preference and the visibility of veins.
• 🩸 Apply the tourniquet correctly, without restricting arterial blood flow, and for no longer than 60 seconds.
• 📍 Locate the venipuncture site by palpating the antecubital space and selecting the most suitable vein.
• 🌡️ Prepare the site by cleansing it with an alcohol pad and assembling equipment on the non-dominant side.
• 💉 Use the correct needle size and technique for inserting the needle into the vein at the appropriate angle.
• 🧴 Fill the vacuum tubes one by one, ensuring not to change the needle's position in the vein during this process.
• 🩹 After the last tube is filled, release the tourniquet and apply pressure to the puncture site.
• 🗑️ Dispose of all used materials properly, including the needle in a sharps container and biohazard waste.
• 🏷️ Label the tubes with patient information, date, time, and initials, and complete the requisition form.
• 📋 Document the procedure in the patient's record for future reference and compliance.

Q & A

What is the first step in the procedure described in the script?

The first step is to read the provider's order and clarify any questions with the provider.

What are the necessary supplies for collecting a venous blood specimen using the vacuum tube technique?

The necessary supplies include the appropriate tubes as specified on the requisition form, a fluid impermeable lab coat, protective eyewear, gloves, a tourniquet, an alcohol pad, and a sharps container for disposal.

How should the medical assistant verify the patient's identity?

The medical assistant should verify the patient's identity using three identifiers such as full name, date of birth, and the spelling of the last name or by checking a photo ID.

What does the medical assistant need to explain to the patient before starting the procedure?

The medical assistant needs to explain the procedure of venipuncture and obtain the patient's permission for the blood draw.

Why is it important to check both arms of the patient before selecting a venipuncture site?

It is important to check both arms to find the vein that will give the greatest chance of success for the blood draw.

What is the proper way to apply a tourniquet during venipuncture?

The tourniquet should be applied around the patient's arm, three to four inches above the elbow, without restricting blood flow in the artery, and should not remain in place longer than 60 seconds.

How should the venipuncture site be prepared before needle insertion?

The site should be cleansed starting in the center and working outward in a circular pattern with an alcohol pad.

What is the recommended angle for needle insertion into the vein during venipuncture?

The recommended angle for needle insertion is 15 to 20 degrees.

How should the vacuum tube be filled with blood?

The tube should be filled to its maximum capacity without changing the needle's position in the vein, and the tube should be gently inverted immediately after removal to mix the additives and blood.

What should be done after the last tube is filled and the tourniquet is released?

The last tube should be removed from the holder, and the needle should be quickly removed from the arm while applying pressure to the puncture site with gauze or a cotton ball.

What are the final steps after the blood draw is completed?

The final steps include labeling the tubes, checking the venipuncture site for bleeding, applying a bandage, disposing of blood-contaminated materials, disinfecting the work area, removing and disposing of gloves and protective eyewear, and documenting the procedure in the patient's record.

Outlines

00:00

💉 Venipuncture Procedure Overview

This paragraph outlines the steps for collecting a venous blood specimen using the vacuum tube technique. It begins with reading the provider's order and ensuring the necessary supplies are gathered. The process involves verifying the patient's identity, explaining the procedure, and obtaining consent. Protective measures such as wearing a lab coat and eyewear, hand hygiene, and choosing the appropriate arm for the procedure are emphasized. The paragraph details the application of the tourniquet, selection of the venipuncture site, and the actual needle insertion technique. It also covers the use of vacuum tubes for blood collection, the importance of not moving the needle during tube changes, and the procedure for safely removing the needle and applying pressure to the puncture site.

05:00

🩹 Post-Venipuncture Care and Documentation

The second paragraph focuses on the aftercare following a blood draw and the necessary documentation. It instructs to dispose of the used needle in a sharps container and apply pressure to the puncture site to prevent bleeding. The patient is advised not to bend the elbow while elevating the arm. The paragraph also covers labeling the blood tubes with patient information and the time of collection, checking for bleeding cessation, and applying a hypoallergenic bandage. It concludes with the disposal of biohazard waste, disinfection of the work area, and proper hand hygiene. The importance of completing the laboratory requisition form, routing the specimen, and documenting the procedure in the patient's record is highlighted to ensure proper medical record-keeping.

Keywords

💡Venous Blood Specimen

A venous blood specimen refers to a sample of blood collected from a vein, typically for laboratory testing. In the video, this process is central to the demonstration, where the narrator explains how to collect it using the vacuum tube technique, which is a method that utilizes vacuum-sealed tubes to draw blood through a needle.

💡Vacuum Tube Technique

The vacuum tube technique is a specific method for collecting blood samples where the tubes are pre-evacuated to create a vacuum that draws the blood into the tube. The script describes the steps for using this technique, emphasizing the importance of attaching the needle to the vacuum tube holder and allowing the tube to fill to its maximum capacity.

💡Provider's Order

The provider's order is a directive from a healthcare provider, such as a doctor, specifying the tests or procedures to be performed. In the context of the video, the provider's order is for a blood test, which the medical assistant reads and acts upon, clarifying any questions with the provider before proceeding.

💡Requisition Form

A requisition form is a document used in healthcare settings to request specific tests or procedures. It typically includes details about the patient and the tests to be conducted. In the script, the medical assistant gathers the appropriate tubes as specified on the requisition form, indicating the tests that need to be performed.

💡Patient's Identity

Verifying a patient's identity is a crucial step in healthcare to ensure that the correct individual is receiving the intended treatment or procedure. The script mentions using three identifiers, such as full name, date of birth, and last name spelling, to confirm the patient's identity before starting the blood draw.

💡Venipuncture

Venipuncture is the process of drawing blood from a vein, usually by inserting a needle. The video script provides a detailed explanation of how to perform venipuncture, including obtaining permission from the patient, selecting the site, and the actual insertion of the needle into the vein.

💡Tourniquet

A tourniquet is a device used to apply pressure to a limb, typically the arm, to constrict blood flow temporarily, making veins more prominent and easier to access for venipuncture. The script describes how to properly apply and remove the tourniquet, emphasizing not to leave it on for more than 60 seconds.

💡Antecubital Space

The antecubital space is the area on the arm located in front of the elbow joint, where veins are commonly palpated and accessed for venipuncture. The script mentions palpating this space to select the venipuncture site, as it often contains the medial or cephalic veins used for blood draws.

💡Needle Holder

A needle holder is a device used to secure a needle in place during medical procedures such as venipuncture. In the script, the medical assistant attaches the needle to the vacuum tube holder, which functions as a needle holder, ensuring stability and control during the blood draw.

💡Invert the Tube

Inverting the tube refers to the action of turning the blood collection tube upside down to mix the blood with the additives inside, which is necessary for certain types of tests. The script instructs to invert each tube immediately after removing it from the needle holder to ensure proper mixing.

💡Hypoallergenic Self-Stick Wrap

A hypoallergenic self-stick wrap is a type of bandage that adheres to itself and the skin without causing an allergic reaction. The script mentions applying such a wrap, along with gauze and tape, after the blood draw to protect the puncture site and prevent infection.

Highlights

Learn how to collect a venous blood specimen using the vacuum tube technique.

Read the provider's order and clarify any questions with the provider.

Gather appropriate tubes as specified on the requisition form and other required supplies.

Put on a fluid impermeable lab coat for safety.

Verify patient's identity using three identifiers like full name, date of birth, and last name spelling.

Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain permission for venipuncture.

Put on protective eyewear and wash or sanitize hands before starting.

Ask the patient if they have a preference for which arm to use for venipuncture.

Apply the tourniquet 3-4 inches above the elbow without restricting arterial blood flow.

Select the venipuncture site by palpating the antecubital space and tracing the vein.

Cleanse the site with an alcohol pad in a circular pattern, starting from the center.

Choose the needle size based on the patient's vein inspection.

Attach the needle to the vacuum tube holder and put on gloves.

Reapply the tourniquet when the alcohol is dry.

Insert the needle at a 15-20 degree angle into the vein with a quick but smooth motion.

Allow each tube to fill to its maximum capacity before removing it from the needle holder.

Invert each tube immediately after removing it to mix additives with the blood.

Release the tourniquet before removing the needle from the arm.

Apply pressure to the puncture site and dispose of the needle and holder in a sharps container.

Label the tubes with patient information, date, time, and initials.

Check the venipuncture site to ensure bleeding has stopped before applying a bandage.

Disinfect the work area, dispose of gloves and eyewear, and sanitize hands after the procedure.

Complete the laboratory requisition form and document the procedure in the patient's record.

Transcripts

[Music]

in this procedure

you will learn how to collect a venous

blood specimen using the vacuum

tube technique read the provider's order

and clarify any questions with the

provider

gather the appropriate tubes as

specified on the requisition form

and all other required supplies

put on a fluid impermeable lab coat

verify the patient's identity using

three identifiers

such as her full name date of birth and

the spelling of her last name

or showing a photo id hello tina how are

you

good how are you i'm good my name is

tori i am dr anderson's medical

assistant

um if i could get your first and last

name please

it's tina laiken

and if you can please spell your last

name for me l-a-k-i-n

your date of birth please 4 21

explain the procedure and obtain

permission for the venipuncture

tina looks like dr anderson has ordered

some blood work for you to have done

today do you have a problem with getting

your blood drawn or had any issues

no okay put on protective eyewear

wash or sanitize your hands again

all right see now let's look and see

which form is the best does it matter

which one i use

it doesn't matter to me okay ask the

patient if she has a preference which

arm is used for the venipuncture

you should look at both arms to find the

vein that will give you the greatest

chance of success

have the patient sit with her arm well

supported in a

slightly downward position apply the

tourniquet around the patient's arm

three to four inches above the elbow the

tourniquet should never be tied so

tightly

that it restricts blood flow in the

artery

turn tourniquets should remain in place

no longer than 60 seconds

select the venipuncture site by

palpating the antecubital space

use a finger to trace the path of the

vein and to judge its depth

the veins most often used are the medial

or cephalic veins

which lie in the middle of the elbow

remove the tourniquet and cleanse the

site

starting in the center of the area and

working outward in a circular pattern

with the alcohol pad

assemble your equipment and supplies on

the non-dominant side of the patient's

arm

the choice of needle size depends on

your inspection of the patient's veins

attach the needle firmly to the vacuum

tube holder

keep the cover on the needle then

put on a pair of gloves reapply the

tourniquet when the alcohol is dry

hold the vacuum tube assembly in your

dominant hand

remove the needle cover your thumb

should be on top

and your fingers underneath grasp the

patient's arm with your non-dominant

hand

and anchor the vein by gently stretching

the skin downward

below the collection site with the thumb

of your non-dominant hand

with the bevel up and the needle aligned

parallel to the vein

insert the needle at a 15 to 20 degree

angle

through the skin and into the vein with

a quick

but smooth motion your dominant hand

should never let go of the needle

assembly

once it is in the vein hold the assembly

in place and steady

through the venipuncture place two

fingers of the non-dominant hand

on the flanges of the needle holder and

use your thumb to push the tube onto the

double pointed needle

make sure you do not change the needle's

position in the vein

allow the tube to fill to its maximum

capacity

remove the tube by curling the fingers

of your non-dominant hand

underneath and pushing on the needle

holder with your thumb

take care not to move the needle when

removing the tube

immediately after removing the tube from

the needle holder

gently invert the tube to mix the

additives and the blood

insert the second tube into the needle

holder following the instructions in the

previous steps

continue filling tubes until the order

on the requisition has been filled

gently invert each tube after removing

it from the needle holder

as the last tube begins filling release

the tourniquet

the tourniquet must be released before

the needle is removed from the arm

remove the last tube from the holder

place

gauze or a cotton ball over the puncture

site

and quickly remove the needle engaging

the safety device

dispose of the entire needle and holder

assembly in the sharps container

apply pressure to the gauze or instruct

the patient to do so

the patient may elevate the arm but

should not bend the elbow

you can elevate your arm if you like

just do not bend it okay

okay while the patient is applying

pressure to the site label the tubes

with the patient's name

date and time and your initials or affix

the pre-printed tube labels and print

your initials on the label

check the venipuncture site to make sure

bleeding has stopped

apply a hypoallergenic self-stick wrap

gauze and tape

or bandage dispose of blood contaminated

materials in the biohazard waste

container

disinfect the work area

remove and dispose of your gloves then

remove your protective eyewear wash or

sanitize your hands

complete the laboratory requisition form

and route the specimen to the proper

place

document the procedure in the patient's

record

you