PHLT 1030 Syllabus

Subject Code

PHLT

Course Number

1030

Course Title

Introduction to Venipuncture

Prerequisites

Program admission, ALHS 1011 with a grade of C or higher, ALHS 1040 with a grade of C or higher

Corequisites

Terms Offered

Offered Fall and Spring

Credit Hours

(2-2-3)

Course Description

This course introduces blood collecting techniques and processing specimens. Instructors emphasize the knowledge and skills needed to collect all types of blood samples from hospitalized patients. Topics include venipuncture procedures, safety, and quality assurance; isolation techniques, venipuncture problems, and definitions; lab test profiles and patient care areas; other specimen collections and specimen processing; test combinations, skin punctures, and POCT; professional ethics and malpractice; and certification and licensure.

Course Outcomes

Venipuncture Procedure, Safety, and Quality Assurance

  • List and locate the names of the arm veins.
  • List the anticoagulants for each color coded vacutainer tube.
  • List and identify venipuncture equipment, the vacutainer tubes used for each laboratory test, and the associated laboratory testing department.
  • List and demonstrate the safety procedures appropriate while on the job.
  • Discuss patient contact phlebotomy techniques.
  • Perform a single and double draw  venipuncture with the vacutainer system.
  • Perform a venipuncture with a syringe.
  • Define quality and performance improvement measurements and list the components of a QA program.
  • Define quality control and list areas in phlebotomy subject to quality control.

Isolation Techniques, Venipuncture Problems, and Definitions

  • Describe phlebotomy protocol for selected isolation techniques.
  • List, demonstrate, and describe personal protective equipment use.
  • Describe prevention and handling procedures for the following: hematoma, hemolysis, fainting, convulsions, vomiting, cardiac difficulties, uncooperative patient, and patient with I.V. or shunts.
  • Define stat, p.p., p.c., hemolysis, jaundice, lipemic, QNS, and other teems and abbreviations.

Lab Test Profiles and Patient Care Areas

  • List tests included in the following packages or profiles: cardiac profile, liver profile, electrolytes, coagulation, DIC studies, CBC, routine admission, and other commonly encountered test profiles.
  • Describe the safety rules for the different areas of the hospital.
  • Discuss phlebotomy protocols for the nursery, ER, ICU, out-patient services and age appropriate techniques.

Other Specimen Collections and Specimen Processing

  • Describe blood culture, throat culture, 24-hour urine, clean-catch urine, bleeding time test, GTT, 2 hr. p.p./p.c. glucose, and cross-match collection procedures.
  • Discuss specimen processing for selected lab tests.

Test Combinations, Skin Punctures, and POCT

  • Perform a fingerstick and collect an HCT and blood smear.
  • Describe how to perform a heel stick.
  • List and recognize the dangers involving a heel stick.
  • List approximate volumes and tubes necessary and the order of draw for selected test combinations.
  • Define pint-of-care testing and explain the principle behind selected POCT examples.

Professional Ethics and Malpractice

  • Discuss and demonstrate professional behavior and dress associated with the clinical laboratory profession.
  • Identify applicable codes of ethics for the clinical laboratory profession.
  • Discuss and demonstrate ethical behavior associated with the clinical laboratory profession.
  • Discuss implications of Patient's Bill of Rights as applicable to clinical laboratory services.
  • Discuss implications of Right to Die/Living Will as applicable to clinical laboratory services.
  • Recognize and identify desirable personal qualities required in health care.
  • Define selected legal terms.
  • Distinguish between criminal and civil causes of action.
  • Distinguish between implied and expressed contracts.
  • Distinguish between implied, informed, and uninformed consent.
  • Describe three essential elements of a verbal contract.
  • Distinguish between negligence and malpractice.
  • Identify liability as applicable to personal and professional actions.
  • List elements of a civil malpractice cause of action.

Certification and Licensure

  • Explain certification, accreditation, and licensure as applicable to clinical laboratory profession.
  • Discuss federal and state laboratory licensure laws and personnel standards.
  • Explain certification, accreditation, and licensure as applicable to clinical laboratory profession.
  • Discuss federal and state laboratory licensure laws and personnel standards.