Phlebotomist drawing blood from IV

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in ER, CEN.

The ER was so busy so I called lab to draw blood from my patient. So I've been paying attention to one of the lab techs drawing blood from the patients IV. Is that in they job description because when I was a phlebotomist we couldn't do that. So what to do in a situation like that.

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It's probably not allowed for lab techs, but as an RN in the ER, I do it all the time and it's common practice. I've often wondered why they don't pull from the IV lines when they have one available. It would certainly be easier on the patient. I'm sure it has something to do with infection control, though I don't see the risk of infection being higher for a lab tech than for a nurse.

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The ER was so busy so I called lab to draw blood from my patient. So I've been paying attention to one of the lab techs drawing blood from the patients IV. Is that in they job description because when I was a phlebotomist we couldn't do that. So what to do in a situation like that.

There are some potential problems with drawing from lines. What labs are ordered could be affected by what has run through the line. Also, it could be a tenuous line, and drawing might be a bad idea. As the nurse, you have the information to make that call, the phlebotomist doesn't.

As far as your question, what to do? Say "I noticed you drew off an IV. Is that within your protocols?"

While personally, I couldn't care less about their protocols, I do need to look out for the best interests fof patients.

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