In the past times, when the bloodletting was performed, this act was deemed as something that would remove the contaminants from the blood of the patient. In the earlier period of the human histories, it was the business of the medical professionals, and this act was supposed to counter the ailments and the infections from the blood of an affected person. The body fluid thus, removed was supposed to take the ailments away with itself.
How Relevant is Mobile Phlebotomy and How can the Role of a Mobile Phlebotomist be Defined?
The most basic definition of a phlebotomist that it is referred to as a person who is responsible for drawing a blood sample from a vein. The significant routine practice that requires this act is the diagnosis of certain disorders that have markers in blood to aid the diagnosis. For a person to function as a phlebotomist or a phlebotomy technician, in some parts of the requires certification, however, in most cases no necessary certification is required to practice mobile phlebotomy.
However, the experts advocate that who feel like seeking a career in the field need to complete a proper certification program in phlebotomy.
The Importance of Mobile Phlebotomy
Phlebotomist plays a vital role in the field of medicine. Here are few main roles that phlebotomists need to fill in.
The Need for Safety Monitoring
One of the duties that mobile phlebotomists need to confirm is the safe and sterile handling of the blood sampling using the needles. This includes the safe practices that are required to keep the rates of infection, dissemination the contagious diseases and certain injuries that might result during the process, lower. This implies the use of proper hand washing protocols before and after touching each patient and make the appropriate use as well as the disposal of the needles being used. Some of them are also required by their employing agencies to wear the protective lab coats and sterile gloves for the process of drawing blood.
Each of them is trained to use a 70% alcohol swab to clean the area from where the blood sample is needed to be drawn and application of a sterile band-aid when they are done with the sampling. In some cases. There might be injuries during the injuries. Usually needle-stick, to the person from whom the sample has been drawn or the phlebotomist himself. In such event, the mobile phlebotomist should be equipped with necessary techniques and equipment to take care of the situation and the minimize the risk of transmission of certain illnesses.
Relation with the Patient
A lot of people even in the 21st century where blood samples are being drawn so frequently for diagnostic as well as screening purposes, are afraid of the process of mobile phlebotomy. The part of the process that actually makes them scared is the sight of the bare needles, making them anxious about the prick that they anticipate. In situations like these, the role of the phlebotomist goes one step further from being the blood drawer solely, at this point, he needs to counsel the patient making them understand the risk and benefits profile of the procedure as well as the communicating them the irrationality of their fear from the process itself.
To acquire the role of a phlebotomist, you need to be calm, humble and sympathetic in your approach towards the patients and encourage them to relax. What is more important that they possess the necessary communication skill that can impart the technicalities of the process to the patient.
Author Bio
Sara Carl is a medical professional who is completing her studies in nursing. Owing to her massive interest in the field of healthcare, she volunteers to help people with medical needs for quite some time now which led to her blogging about different areas in medicine including for mobile phlebotomy companies.