History and Techniques of Phlebotomy

• Phlebotomy's history can be traced back to 460-377 B.C. with Hippocrates' theory related to diseases stemming from excesses in bodily substances (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile)
• Bloodletting was practiced in Egypt as early as 1400 B.C. using leeches
• In the Middle Ages (1210 A.D.), barber-surgeons organized into guilds
• Short Robe surgeons within these guilds performed bloodletting, wound surgery, cupping, leeching, shaving, and tooth extractions
• Long Robe surgeons carried out major surgeries and were identifiable by striped poles
• In the 17th-18th century, phlebotomy was regarded as a significant therapeutic intervention
• Lancets were employed for venesection which is cutting into a vein
• Excessive phlebotomy was a common practice at the time

Bloodletting Techniques

• Cupping involves using a heated suction cup on the skin
• Leeching involves using European medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis)
• Arteriotomy involves partially cutting an artery, this is dangerous
• Scarification is the use of multiple-blade devices for superficial cutting

Phlebotomy Today

• Phlebotomy serves purposes such as diagnostic blood testing, treatment monitoring, blood donation for transfusions, and therapeutic interventions (e.g., polycythemia treatment)
• Venipuncture involves using a needle and syringe or collection system
• Capillary puncture involves using a lancet to collect small blood samples

Required Skills for Phlebotomists

• Manual dexterity
• Special communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Knowledge of laboratory specimen requirements

Official Recognition

• Certification is a voluntary form of recognition
• Licensure involves legal permission to practice
• Continuing Education is required for updated skills

Key Professional Traits for Patient-Client Interaction

• Recognizing diversity
• Professionalism
• Self-confidence
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Self-motivation
• Dependability
• Ethical behavior
• Confidentiality

Communication Skills

• Verbal communication uses spoken words and involves a sender-receiver-feedback loop
• Nonverbal communication includes body language and facial expressions, accounting for 80% of communication
• Communication barriers include language limitations, cultural diversity, emotions, age, and physical disabilities (e.g., hearing loss)

Key Communication Concepts

• Kinesics is the study of body language, including facial expressions and eye contact
• Proxemics is the study of personal space to maintain comfort zones
• Appearance refers to clean attire, proper hygiene, and a professional dress code

Healthcare Setting

• Inpatient facilities involve patients staying overnight or longer
• Outpatient facilities treat and discharge patients on the same day

Levels of Healthcare

• Primary healthcare includes rural health units and small clinics
• Secondary healthcare includes non-departmentalized hospitals treating symptomatic patients
• Tertiary healthcare includes large medical centers with advanced facilities

Clinical Laboratory Divisions

• Anatomical & Surgical Pathology includes histology, cytology, and cytogenetics

Clinical Analysis Areas (7 Divisions)

• Hematology deals with blood and blood-forming tissues, involving tests like hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC/WBC count, and platelet count
• Coagulation studies clotting ability, including PT, APTT, D-Dimer, and Fibrinogen tests
• Clinical Chemistry analyzes blood chemicals, such as glucose, cholesterol, BUN, creatinine, ABG, and electrolytes
• Serology/Immunology studies blood serum and immune response, including tests for Anti-HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen, and CRP
• Clinical Microscopy analyzes urinalysis and other body fluid tests, assessing pH, protein, glucose, ketones, and bilirubin
• Microbiology studies microorganisms in fluids/tissues, including blood culture, Gram staining, AFB, and Ova and Parasites
• Blood Bank (Immunohematology) focuses on blood transfusions, including ABO & Rh typing, crossmatching, and compatibility testing

STAT Lab & Reference Lab

• STAT Lab is for emergency testing
• Reference Lab is a large independent lab serving multiple facilities

Explore phlebotomy's origins from ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages, highlighting bloodletting's role and the practices of barber-surgeons. Learn about bloodletting techniques. Also learn about cupping, leeching and arteriotomy.