The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several disease-specific precautionary policies for patients known to be or suspected of being infected with certain pathogens. With strict following of standard precautions, all sources of specimens (patients) are considered to be potentially pathogenic or infectious.
Every direct contact with body fluid is infectious is the assumption in the Standard precautions. To prevent cross-transmission and exposure of the skin and mucous membranes to infectious microbes, avoid direct contact with patient specimens, and when contact is anticipated appropriate barrier precautions should be used " this is the essential element of standard precautions.
It is mandatory for the phlebotomist to practice universal precautions routinely during work. Protection of laboratory personnel from infected patients is achieved and cross-transmission of infectious diseases to patients is prevented by the use of these standard precautions which recognize the infectious potential of any patient specimen.
A licensed inactivated vaccine (HB) is recommended for the phlebotomist to prevent from getting infected from HBV. As a precautionary step for clinical laboratory workers, phlebotomists, pathologists, and other health care workers who are at a greater risk for Hepatitis B infection, are required to use Hep B vaccine following CDCs advisory committee recommended immunization practices.
To eliminate the risk of infections, other safe work practices for phlebotomists handling blood specimens or other samples are:
- To prevent transmission of pathogens, practice hand washing every time after the handling of specimens. - Laboratory or clinics should be isolated from eating, drinking, or smoking areas. - Gloves, lab coats/gowns, masks, safety glasses are the required personal protective equipments. - In case of spills, cleaning up should be done as per protocol of the lab and blood spills should be cleaned immediately, aerosolization should be minimized. - Waste disposal should be done as per the OSHA and NCCLS guidelines. Sharp resistant container should be used for disposal of lancets, needles, scalpel blades and other contaminated waste should be disposed in biohazard marked containers. - Sharp needles and lancets, should not be handled by hand or bent, or broken. - Pre exposure and post exposure prophylactic guidelines for handling potential occupational transmission of certain pathogens should be followed by the phlebotomist.
Professional phlebotomist should be aware of general safety regulations for the clinical laboratory, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) stipulated guidelines for chemical hygiene and for occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, the use of lab safety manual, and general emergency procedures.
Allied health professionals always face the risk during the disposal of sharps which is a hazardous procedure. The risks involved in venipuncture should be known by the phlebotomist. Proper training in the use of closed vacutainer system, which minimizes the possibility of injuries, should be a must for all healthcare professionals.
Action to be taken in the Case of a Needle-Stick Injury:
- Encourage bleeding from the affected site - Wash the injured area or irrigate with water or normal saline as appropriate - Cover with a suitable dressing - Record the patients name and ID - Complete an accident form - Inform immediate manager - Go to Occupational Health, GP or Accident and Emergency Department as appropriate
All the necessary techniques and procedures needed to be a competent and skilled phlebotomist are covered in accredited phlebotomist technician programs. Anatomy and physiology, Blood and cell composition, Blood sampling procedures, Laboratory safety, and CPR are some of the subjects in training courses for professional phlebotomist. Professional behavior, Quality control, Legal issues, Computer training are some other subjects which might be included in formal training programs. Phlebotomy schools customize and offer some differences in the training programs depending on the regulations and program geared for specific job.
Every direct contact with body fluid is infectious is the assumption in the Standard precautions. To prevent cross-transmission and exposure of the skin and mucous membranes to infectious microbes, avoid direct contact with patient specimens, and when contact is anticipated appropriate barrier precautions should be used " this is the essential element of standard precautions.
It is mandatory for the phlebotomist to practice universal precautions routinely during work. Protection of laboratory personnel from infected patients is achieved and cross-transmission of infectious diseases to patients is prevented by the use of these standard precautions which recognize the infectious potential of any patient specimen.
A licensed inactivated vaccine (HB) is recommended for the phlebotomist to prevent from getting infected from HBV. As a precautionary step for clinical laboratory workers, phlebotomists, pathologists, and other health care workers who are at a greater risk for Hepatitis B infection, are required to use Hep B vaccine following CDCs advisory committee recommended immunization practices.
To eliminate the risk of infections, other safe work practices for phlebotomists handling blood specimens or other samples are:
- To prevent transmission of pathogens, practice hand washing every time after the handling of specimens. - Laboratory or clinics should be isolated from eating, drinking, or smoking areas. - Gloves, lab coats/gowns, masks, safety glasses are the required personal protective equipments. - In case of spills, cleaning up should be done as per protocol of the lab and blood spills should be cleaned immediately, aerosolization should be minimized. - Waste disposal should be done as per the OSHA and NCCLS guidelines. Sharp resistant container should be used for disposal of lancets, needles, scalpel blades and other contaminated waste should be disposed in biohazard marked containers. - Sharp needles and lancets, should not be handled by hand or bent, or broken. - Pre exposure and post exposure prophylactic guidelines for handling potential occupational transmission of certain pathogens should be followed by the phlebotomist.
Professional phlebotomist should be aware of general safety regulations for the clinical laboratory, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) stipulated guidelines for chemical hygiene and for occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens, the use of lab safety manual, and general emergency procedures.
Allied health professionals always face the risk during the disposal of sharps which is a hazardous procedure. The risks involved in venipuncture should be known by the phlebotomist. Proper training in the use of closed vacutainer system, which minimizes the possibility of injuries, should be a must for all healthcare professionals.
Action to be taken in the Case of a Needle-Stick Injury:
- Encourage bleeding from the affected site - Wash the injured area or irrigate with water or normal saline as appropriate - Cover with a suitable dressing - Record the patients name and ID - Complete an accident form - Inform immediate manager - Go to Occupational Health, GP or Accident and Emergency Department as appropriate
All the necessary techniques and procedures needed to be a competent and skilled phlebotomist are covered in accredited phlebotomist technician programs. Anatomy and physiology, Blood and cell composition, Blood sampling procedures, Laboratory safety, and CPR are some of the subjects in training courses for professional phlebotomist. Professional behavior, Quality control, Legal issues, Computer training are some other subjects which might be included in formal training programs. Phlebotomy schools customize and offer some differences in the training programs depending on the regulations and program geared for specific job.
About the Author:
Maxis Healthcare Limited run professional 1 Day Fasttrack Phlebotomy Training Courses in London, UK. Learn How to become a phlebotomist And Get Phlebotomy From Venepuncture Trainers With Over 30 Years Practical Experience and a FREE 10 Day Phelebotomy Taster Course.
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