When drawing blood specimens off of a central line with a syringe, should the clinician follow the phlebotomists recommended order of draw for vaccum tubes, when filling the tubes, or does it not make a difference?
This would be after cultures, which come first.
Yes, it makes a tremendous difference. Each manufacturer of those tubes has a distinct order of draw that must be followed. Filling from a syringe would be no different. See INS Standard 43 PHlebotomy, Practice Criterai F.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Cheryl the reason it matters is some tubes need a precise fill (coag), some labs can be completed with a partial fill if there is not enough blood, some tubes contain preservatives or heparin or whatever is needed to maintain the sample. That's the simple answer and your lab can relay the order needed for the supplies they use. And bring your bag of ice when required!
In order of fill.
Blood cultures
Empty tubes
Gel tubes
Powder tubes
Liquid tubes * protime before CBC*
C. Craig Farris BS,RN, CRNI