The circulatory system is incredible. It plays a vital role in almost every single function of the human body. It provides much-needed nutrients, removes waste and is central in all manner of intricate and delicate processesthat are essential for optimal health and vitality. It is at the centre of a properly functioning and flourishing body.
It is fitting then that the discipline of removing that critical fluid, phlebotomy, is similarly essential for the field of medicine. Its importance cannot be understated. Nearly every corner of the medical field depends on blood samples in some way to effectively do its work.
That makes phlebotomy training an important issue as the health of the health care system depends on properly drawn and stored blood. What do phlebotomists do that make their job so important?
Sample Integrity
According to Alison from Phlebotomy Training “Without the proper phlebotomy training, sample integrity can become an issue.” For tests to be accurate, samples need to be drawn accurately, as well as handled and stored properly. If these steps are ignored or mishandled, it can lead to contaminated or unusable blood samples. This then becomes unnecessary and potentially harmful delays for patients awaiting results.
Disease Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. This is a commonly used, and accurate, statement about the value of prevention. One of the best ways to prevent future illness is to analyze your blood and to do that, it needs to be drawn. Phlebotomists are key to disease prevention in this way.
Diagnosis
Today, the use of blood and blood samples is integral to the process of diagnosing a patient. It is estimated that at least 80% of the diagnoses are done with the help of blood tests and panels. Diagnosis is the first step to addressing any issue or illness, which means that taking blood samples properly is key to patient health.
Blood Supply Management
Phlebotomy isn’t as simple as drawing blood. Managing the blood supply in any given medical setting can be a challenge. Thankfully, blood supply management is part of the rigorous phlebotomy training that phlebotomists go through as they are learning their craft.
How is the blood transported? What are the processes involved in storing blood samples? Are there different transport and storage procedures for different types of samples? These questions are all easily answered by a phlebotomist as this is within the scope of their important work.
Data and Record Maintenance
Perhaps one of the most important parts of the phlebotomists’ daily activities, and one of the most critical for patient outcomes, is data and record maintenance. With the sheer volume of blood samples taken in any given clinic, proper labelling is paramount. Patient details, alongside destination and any other pertinent information, is input by the phlebotomist and attached to the proper samples. Without this, it would be impossible for medical professionals to do their job properly.
Phlebotomy: A Critical Part of the Medical Field
Phlebotomy is a critical part of the medical field. It delivers life-saving diagnoses and can help map early disease prevention plans. It is also responsible for the maintenance of the data and information of the patients that depends on those results. This makes phlebotomy training, and the quality of the phlebotomists working out in the field, a crucial part of a strong and robust healthcare system.
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