General Rules/Ethics for Phlebotomy of Human Molecular Diagnostics

Sample Collection and Processing Centre University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Regarding phlebotomy (sample collection) for Human Molecular Diagnostics the guidelines from WHO and College of American Pathologists (CAP) will be followed strictly as abstracted below:

• Planning ahead - This is important to plan before starting any procedure. So everything should be pre-planned at the start of a phlebotomy session.
• Using an appropriate location - The working area for phlebotomy should be cleaned and well-lighted.
• Furniture - Blood draw chairs/table should be made of a material that can easily be disinfected.
• Quality control - Phlebotomists must be educated and well trained in phlebotomy, point of care testing, and patient services specific to their scope of practice.
• Sharps containers - All glass items and needles should be disposed in an approved Sharps disposal container that should be available in the blood drawn area.
• Spill cleanup or emergency procedure - Bleach or other registered disinfectant solution with standard procedure to handle spill cleanup or emergency response information should be available in the blood draw area.
• Biohazardous waste disposal - Biohazardous waste bags and boxes should be used for the disposal of all plastic ware and personal protective equipment
• Biohazardous signage/labeling - All spaces in laboratory doors should be labeled with a biohazard sign. All equipment used to handle blood should also be labeled with a biohazard sign stickers.
• Personnel protective equipment - Phlebotomist should wear the appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE). This includes recommended gloves (latex or nitrile), face protection (full face shield or surgical mask and safety goggles) and lab coat (recommended size and fabric).
• Quality care for patients and health workers - Several factors for the biosafety standards and quality of care for both patients and health workers, and laboratory tests, include:

• Availability of post-exposure prophylaxis and appropriate supplies of PPE
• Avoidance of contaminated phlebotomy equipment
• Patient cooperation
• Use of the correct gauge of hypodermic needle to prevent hemolysis or false results
• Use of recommended laboratory sample collection tubes and their appropriate labelling
• Appropriate transportation conditions and interpretation of results for clinical management

World Health Organization. 2010. WHO Guidelines on drawing blood: best practices in phlebotomy. WHO Press, Geneva, Switzerland.

CAP. 2014. Molecular Pathology Resource Guide. College of American Pathologists, Version 5.0, Issue No. 1. USA.