Venipuncture
Sampling protocol
- Label tube(s) with the patient’s name, date and time of collection
- Apply a tourniquet on the upper arm of the patient, and look for a large, minimally moveable vein
- Disinfect the site with alcohol, and allow to dry in air
- Insert the needle (attached to a syringe or vacutainer tube), and steadily draw blood (remove the tourniquet as soon as the blood flows)
- Remove needle and press firmly on the venipuncture site with a piece of dry cotton
- Transfer the blood to the tube(s), and mix gently by inverting the tube(s) six times. Do not shake the tube(s)
- Syringe with needle (gauge 21 or 23)
- Vacuum tube(s)
- 70% ethyl alcohol or alcohol swabs
- Dry cotton (cotton ball, swab or gauze)
- Protective latex gloves (powder-free)
- Tourniquet
- Biohazard container or any puncture-resistance sharps containerI
- Infectious wastes container
- Record forms (e.g. malaria register) and lead pencil or permanent marker pen
| Phlebotomy order of draw | ||
|---|---|---|
| Order | Tube colour | Description |
| 1 | White | Blood cultures |
| 2 | Blue | Sodium citrate |
| 3 | Red | Clot activator |
| 4 | Orange | SST |
| 5 | Light green | Lithium heparin |
| 6 | Dark green | Sodium heparin |
| 7 | Lilac | EDTA |
| 8 | Grey | Sodium fluoride |
| 9 | Yellow | ACD solution |