Component Task: Collection of Blood Specimens

Blood specimens are required for numerous investigations e.g. full blood count, white blood cells and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Among others are grouping and cross matching, culture and sensitivity, blood urea, electrolytes and creatinine. The amount required range from a few drops to 10mls from the capillaries or veins depending on the test requested. Two types of bottles or tubes are used – plain/universal or bottles containing some chemical substance or culture medium.

Aims

·         Determine diagnosis of a condition

·         Plan treatment regimen

·         Assess patient’s condition

Requirements

A tray with the following:

·         Sterile syringes and needles

·         Antimicrobial solution

·         Appropriate specimen bottle

·         Dry cotton wool swabs in a gallipot

·         Disposable gloves

·         Tourniquet

·         Adhesive strip

·         Receiver for used items

·         Appropriate laboratory or specimen form

·         Appropriate PPE’s e.g. apron

·         Sharps container

Steps

1.        Establish rapport (Refer to steps)

2.      Explain procedure to the patient (Refer to steps)

3.      Perform hand hygiene

4.      Take tray and send to the bedside

5.      Provide privacy

6.      Protect the bed with a mackintosh and a dressing towel

7.       Assist patient into a desirable position

8.      Assist the doctor or laboratory technician to take the sample

9.      Dispose off used items and decontaminate the tray

10.    Ensure all needles are disposed off in the sharps container

11.      Ensure labelled specimen with signed laboratory forms are sent to the laboratory.

12.    If the nurse is taking the blood specimen then the following steps should be followed after step 7

13.    Choose a site preferably on the forearm

14.    Apply tourniquet to locate a prominent vein

15.    Clean the site with antimicrobial solution

16.    Insert the needle gently with syringe attached into the vein at an angle of 45

17.    Withdraw the required amount of blood

18.    Release the tourniquet

19.    Remove the needle gently from the vein, apply a dry swab to the area immediately and hold it in place with an adhesive strip

20.  Disconnect needle from syringe, poor blood into specimen bottle

21.    Ensure specimen container is well labelled

22.  Perform hand hygiene