THE ROLE OF A PHLEBOTOMIST: IN HEALTH CARE

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THE ROLE OF APHLEBOTOMIST INHEALTH CARE
PATIENTS RIGHTS
By Amanda Mims
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THE PHLEBOTOMY PROFESSION

• Phlebotomy - the act of removing blood from a
  vein.
• Phlebotomist - the person taking the blood.
• The phlebotomist is a member of the healthcare
  team and must demonstrate professional behavior
  at all times.
• Professionalism - the qualities that characterize
  a professional person and the conduct they should
  exhibit.
• Example
• It would be unprofessional for a teacher to
  bring alcohol to school.

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THE PHLEBOTOMY PROFESSIONAL

• Other necessary qualities and characteristics
  include..
• Dependability - be ready to work, be on time, be
  present
• Integrity - honest, loyal, have pride in work
• Compassion - being sensitive to a patients needs
  and fears
• Empathy -putting oneself into the patients shoes
• Self-confidence - trust in oneself and in ones
  own judgment
• Self-motivated - feels the need to get the job
  done correctly each day
• Interpersonal skills - must communicate
  effectively with patients as well as fellow
  workers

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THE PHLEBOTOMY PROFESSIONAL

• Ethical Behavior
• Ethics - rules of performance and conduct both
  personal and professional.
• Ethical behavior - the standard of right and
  wrong for the sake of the patient.
• Phlebotomists cannot do anything that would
  possibly harm the patient.

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THE PHLEBOTOMY PROFESSIONAL

• Personal Appearance
• Clothing should be clean and wrinkle-free.
• Shoes should be in good condition.
• Hair styles should be conservative.
• Personal hygiene should be exceptional.
• Hands and nails should be clean
• Jewelry, fragrances, and makeup should be
  moderate.

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HEALTH CARE SETTINGS

• Phlebotomists have the opportunity to work in
  many health care facilities, such as
• Physicians office laboratories
• Reference laboratories
• Urgent care centers
• Nursing home facilities
• Wellness clinics
• In order to keep their certificate current,
  phlebotomists must participate in continuing
  education.

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ROLE OF THE PHLEBOTOMIST

• The phlebotomist is an important member of the
  medical laboratory team.
• Their most important duty is to collect blood
  specimens from patients.
• The phlebotomist must be sure that the specimen
  is taken correctly and properly, and that the
  appropriate tools are used.
• The phlebotomist helps ensure that specimens are
  collected in a timely manner and are transported
  to the laboratory.

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ROLE OF THE PHLEBOTOMIST

• Phlebotomists work in more than one area, such as
  patient care, specimen processing, and other
  office assignments.
• Phlebotomists will collect blood by venipuncture
  or by capillary puncture.
• Some phlebotomists are now being allowed to
  perform arterial punctures. This is the taking of
  blood directly from a artery.
• Venipuncture - collecting blood from a vein.
• Capillary puncture - collecting blood from the
  fingers or feet.

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ROLE OF THE PHLEBOTOMIST

• Phlebotomists may enter the patients name and
  data into the laboratory information system
  (LIS).
• They may be able to perform simple tests on
  patient specimens, like point-of-care tests.
• Other skills and roles of the phlebotomist
  include
• Monitoring vital signs
• Communication with patients and other lab workers
• CPR and AED certified
• Knowing information about frequently ordered
  tests
• Knowing medical terminology
• Performing electrocardiography (ECG)
• Clerical skills
• Preparation of blood smears

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PATIENT RIGHTS SAFETY

• Phlebotomists need to know a patients rights.
• Most of the time a patient is informed of his or
  her rights on a paper statement and they must
  sign that they are aware of their rights before
  they can receive any services.
• This form becomes a part of their chart and is
  kept by the health care facility.

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PATIENT RIGHTS SAFETY

• In 1975, the American Hospital Association (AHA),
  published a Patient's Bill of Rights.
• This bill listed specific rights of patients
  receiving care in the hospital only.
• In 2003 the previous bill was replaced by the
  Patient Care Partnership.
• This new bill was created to ensure the
  satisfaction of the patient, physician, and
  health care facility by making clear the rights,
  expectations, and responsibility of all people
  involved in the patients care.
• The new bill also addresses the responsibilities
  of both the patient and the physician.

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PATIENT RIGHTS SAFETY

• Patients can expect..
• High quality hospital care
• A clean and safe environment
• Involvement of the patient in their own care
• Protection of privacy
• Preparing the patient and their family for
  departure from the hospital.
• Help with billing and the filing of insurance
  claims
• http//www.aha.org/content/00-10/pcp_english_0307
  30.pdf

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PATIENT RIGHTS SAFETY

• Hospitals can expect the patient to
• Tell their caregivers about their concerns and if
  they are in pain.
• Give accurate information about their past
  medical history including past illnesses,
  surgeries, hospital stays, allergies, any
  medicines or dietary supplements.
• Give network or admission requirements under
  their health plan.
• Provide Knowledge and copies of their power of
  attorney, living will, or an advance directive
  stating their end-of-life care requests.

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PATIENT RIGHTS SAFETY

• If a patient believes that a hospital has
  violated their legal rights, they can take legal
  action against the hospital.
• Phlebotomists are responsible
• for upholding and supporting the beliefs of
  their employer.

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REFUSAL OF TREATMENT

• Patients have the right to refuse medical
  treatment, including blood draws.
• Patients have been known to tell the phlebotomist
  they will not allow them to draw their blood.
• If a phlebotomist does not respect this wish they
  can be charged with battery.
• Battery is intentionally touching another person
  without the permission to do so.
• If a patient refuses, the phlebotomist must be
  ready to discuss this with the patient and their
  doctor.

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PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY HIPAA

• In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and
  Accountability Act was put into place.
• This act was put in place to protect patient
  information and their privacy.
• This law states that health care workers must get
  written consent from a patient in order to use or
  give out any patient information.
• HIPAA violations carry a steep fine.

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PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

• Rules of patient confidentiality protect the
  patient and the members of the health care field.
• Providers must keep all patient information
  private and use it only on a need-to-know basis.
• If a health care provider is not directly working
  with the patient, they do not need to know
  anything about that patient.
• Phlebotomists may have access to patient records
  including the patients diagnosis, proposed
  treatment plan, personal history, and billing
  information.
• All of the access listed above must be held as
  confidential.

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PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

• A phlebotomist must not discuss patient
  information in the halls, elevators, cafeterias,
  and any other public place.
• The discussing of any patient must hide the true
  identity of the patient.
• Think of it this way
• Would you like people in the halls or in the
  school cafeteria hearing about your personal
  business?

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Now that you know

• After reviewing the necessary qualities and
  characteristics of a phlebotomist, create a
  graphic organizer of your choice which shows the
  qualities/characteristics you think are most
  important! Be able to explain why.