Phlebotomy Safety and PPE

Phlebotomy Safety Standards and Procedures

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protects phlebotomists from contact with blood or other infectious materials.

PPE for Phlebotomist

• Gloves:
  • Must be worn at all times when handling blood or other body fluids
  • Must be worn when handling contaminated items
  • Must be worn when touching non-intact skin or mucous membranes
  • Change gloves between each patient
  • Don't reuse gloves
• Removal of Gloves:
  • Remove gloves in a safe aseptic manner
  • Pinch one glove below the wrist and pull it off inside out
  • Peel away from the body
  • Hold inside out gloves with the other hand
  • Slip a finger under the second glove and pull off by touching only the inner surface
  • Dispose of gloves in a biohazard bin
  • Wash hands
• Lab Coats:
  • Protect against accidental spills
  • Long sleeves recommended for further protection
  • Clean lab coats look professional
  • Prevent cross-contamination
  • Don't wear lab coats when not on duty
• Goggles and Masks:
  • Masks protect against droplets from coughing or sneezing
  • Goggles protect the eyes from splashes or sprays of body fluids
• Shoes:
  • Wear whole shoes to protect feet from spills
  • Wear comfortable and supportive shoes
• Accessories:
  • Avoid wearing hanging earrings
  • Avoid bangles and bracelets on hands
  • Avoid neck chains
  • Avoid bulging rings
• Hair:
  • Hair should be well-groomed
  • Avoid open hair styles
• Nails:
  • Nails should be well-groomed
  • Clean and neat
  • Long nails can bust gloves and cause accidents during venipuncture

Hand Washing

• Wash hands to prevent the spread of infection
• Wash hands before and after each patient
• Hand washing technique:
  • Stand back from sink
  • Wet hands and apply soap
  • Scrub all surfaces, including between fingers and around knuckles
  • Rinse hands in downward motion from wrist to fingertips
  • Use a clean paper towel to turn off tap
  • Dry hands with another paper towel

Infection

• Infection occurs when a microorganism invades the body, multiplies, and causes injury or disease
• Microbes include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses
• Microbes that cause disease are called pathogens
• Some pathogenic microbes cause communicable infections

Chain of Infection and Bloodborne Pathogens

• Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms carried in the blood that can cause disease in people
• Examples of bloodborne pathogens include HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C

Needlestick

• Steps to take in case of a needlestick:
  • Report to supervisor immediately
  • Virology testing performed for baseline values
  • Antiviral drugs/medications given for safety