What exactly is Phlebotomy?
A technician or nurse who is called as phlebotomist is someone who performs Phlebotomy. He/she take out the blood below the elbow, or from a vein on the backside of the hand. But, there are some blood tests that may need blood taken from an artery. The skin from where the blood is about to take out is cleaned with an antiseptic lotion and a flexible band is strapped around the arm. The band works like a tourniquet, and it retain blood inside the arm and make the veins more evident. This process is done by the professional who have Phlebotomy Certification and enough experience. The phlebotomy professional senses the veins for choosing a suitable one. After choosing the vein, the technician puts a needle within the vein and removes the band. The required quantity of blood is taken and the needle is released from the vein.
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Preparation or Analysis
Patient whose blood is being taken for diagnosis may be advised to stop medicines or avoid taking fast foods before the blood-test. Patients who are about to donate their blood are asked to give a short medical history, get their blood pressure checked, and get their hematocrit tested before donating the blood. Are there Risks Involved In phlebotomy? Most of the patients will experience mild soreness or small bruise at the puncture place for a few days. Medical phlebotomy may lead to anemia and thrombocytosis in some patients. Also, Infection is considered as a risk, so it is important to get the process done by a professional who have Phlebotomy Certification. Well, the risk of HIV-infection is not there in this process because the professionals use the disposable needles for one time use only. Patients who have a medical background of cardiovascular ailments or who are anemic may not be right aspirants for phlebotomy. |