Medical Assistants may need to properly collect blood specimens to ensure accurate lab results. Following proper technique and safety protocols is critical to avoid patient harm, specimen errors, and rejected labs.

 

📚 Resources Needed

  • besa EHR
  • LabCorp tubes and supplies
  • Needles, tourniquet, alcohol swabs, gauze, bandages
  • Specimen labels and requisitions
  • Biohazard disposal container

 

🚀 Tips & Tricks

  • Always confirm patient identity before drawing blood — this prevents major errors.
     
  • Have all supplies ready before starting to avoid interruptions.
     
  • The bevel must face up at all times!
     
  • Anchor the vein by pulling down on the skin 6 inches below the insertion site. 
     
  • When removing the needle cover, do so in a rainbow motion. 
     
  • Undo tourniquet prior to removing the needle. 
     
  • Follow proper order of draw to prevent contamination of specimens.
     
  • Label tubes immediately after collection while with the patient.

 

📘 Instructions

Be sure to follow the steps listed below.

 

Patient Verification

Confirm patient identity using:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth

Match this information with the order in besa EHR.

⚠️ Do NOT proceed if information does not match.

 

Preparation

Wash hands and apply gloves.

Gather all required supplies:

  • Correct tubes based on lab order
  • Needle and holder
  • Tourniquet, alcohol swabs, gauze

Position patient comfortably with the arm extended.

 

Performing the Blood Draw

Apply tourniquet above the draw site.

Locate a suitable vein.

Clean the site with an alcohol swab and allow it to dry.

Insert needle at appropriate angle.

Collect blood into tubes following correct order of draw.

Release tourniquet once blood flow is established.

Remove needle and apply gauze with pressure.

Apply bandage once bleeding has stopped.

Dispose of needle immediately in sharps container.

 

Labeling Specimens

Label all tubes immediately after collection.

Ensure labels include:

  • Patient full name
  • Date of birth
  • Date of collection

⚠️ Do NOT leave the patient before labeling is complete.

 

Post-Draw Care

Ensure patient is stable before leaving.

Check for dizziness or bleeding.

Provide instructions if needed (e.g., keep bandage on).

 

Preparing for LabCorp

Be sure to follow the Specimen collection and processing article. Match labeled specimens with lab requisition.

Ensure correct tubes were used.

Place specimens in proper LabCorp packaging.

Follow specimen handling SOP for pickup coordination.

 

Final Check

Before sending specimens:

Confirm:

  • Proper labeling
  • Correct tubes
  • Matching requisition

⚠️ Errors at this stage may result in rejected labs and redraws.

 

📹 Video

 

Done!