Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.037

The effective reduction of tourniquet application time after minor modification of the CLSI H03-A6 blood collection procedure

Gabriel Lima-Oliveira orcid.org/0000-0002-5937-9137 ; Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Italy; Post-Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Medical Pathology Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Giuseppe Lippi ; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Hematology Laboratory, Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
Gian Luca Salvagno ; Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
Martina Montagnana ; Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Italy
Geraldo Picheth ; Post-Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Medical Pathology Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Gian Cesare Guidi ; Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Life and Reproduction Sciences, University of Verona, Italy; Post-Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Medical Pathology Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The phlebotomists’ procedures are a still source of laboratory variability. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of minor modification in procedure for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture from CLSI H03-A6 document is able to reduce the tourniquet application time.
Materials and methods: Thirty phlebotomists were invited to participate. Each phlebotomist was trained individually to perform the new venipuncture procedure that shortens the time of tourniquet release and removal. The phlebotomy training program was delivered over 8h. After training, all phlebotomists were monitored for 20 working days, to guarantee the adoption of the correct new procedures for collection of diagnostic blood specimens. After this time frame the phlebotomists were evaluated to verify whether the new procedure for blood collection derived from CLSI H03-A6 document was effective to improve the quality process by decrease in tourniquet application time. We compared the tourniquet application time and qualitative difference of phlebotomy procedures between laboratories before and after phlebotomy training.
Results: The overall mean ± SD tourniquet application time before and after this intervention were 118 ± 1 s and 30 ± 1 s respectively. Minor modifications in procedure for blood collection were able to reduce significantly the tourniquet application time (-88 s, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The minor modifications in procedure for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture from CLSI H03-A6 document were able to reduce the tourniquet application time. Now the proposed new procedure for collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture could be considered usefulness and should be put into practice by all quality laboratory managers and/or phlebotomy coordinators to avoid preanalytical errors regard venous stasis and guarantee patient safety.

Keywords

venous stasis; preanalytical phase; tourniquets; phlebotomy; practice guidelines

Hrčak ID:

109254

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/109254

Publication date:

15.10.2013.

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