Safety Guidelines for Handling Blood Collection Supplies
February 11, 2025
Introduction
Handling blood collection supplies requires strict adherence to safety protocols to protect both healthcare professionals and patients. Blood collection is a routine procedure in medical settings, but it involves inherent risks, including exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This blog outlines essential safety guidelines for handling blood collection supplies, ensuring a safe and efficient process.
Understanding Blood Collection Supplies
Blood collection supplies include various tools and materials necessary for obtaining blood samples safely and effectively. These supplies typically consist of:
Needles: Safety needles, butterfly needles, and syringes.
Collection Tubes: Vacuum tubes with different additives for various tests.
Tourniquets: Used to engorge veins for easier access.
Antiseptics: Alcohol wipes or chlorhexidine for disinfecting the skin.
Sharps Containers: Puncture-proof containers for safe disposal of used needles and other sharp objects.
Safety Guidelines for Handling Blood Collection Supplies
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is crucial in minimizing exposure to potentially infectious materials during blood collection procedures. According to the NIH, the individuals involved should work under the assumption that all biological specimens may be infectious and require scrupulous aseptic handling. The following items should be part of your standard PPE:
Gloves: Always wear disposable gloves when handling blood collection supplies. Change gloves between patients when gloves are noticeably soiled and immediately after any potential contamination (e.g., touching surfaces or equipment). Use latex or nitrile gloves depending on the sensitivity of the patient or any known allergies.
Lab Coats or Gowns: A lab coat or gown protects your clothing and skin from spills and splashes. Ensure that the gown is long-sleeved and made of fluid-resistant material.
Safety Glasses or Face Shields: Protect your eyes from potential splashes by wearing safety glasses or a face shield, especially during procedures that may involve aerosolization of blood or bodily fluids.
Masks: In certain situations, such as during procedures that may generate aerosols, wearing a surgical mask can help prevent inhalation of infectious particles.
2. Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection transmission in healthcare settings. Follow these steps to ensure proper hand hygiene:
Before Patient Interaction: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
After Patient Interaction: After completing the blood collection procedure, remove your gloves and wash your hands immediately. If your hands are not visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer again.
Special Considerations: If you touch any surfaces or equipment after washing your hands, re-sanitize before proceeding with patient care. This practice helps maintain a sterile environment throughout the procedure.
3. Preparing the Work Area
A clean and organized work area is essential for ensuring safety during blood collection procedures. Here’s how to prepare effectively:
Gather Supplies: Before starting, collect all necessary equipment (needles, tubes, antiseptics, gauze, etc.) in one place to minimize movement during the procedure. This reduces the risk of contamination from touching surfaces unnecessarily.
Clean the Surface: Disinfect the work surface with appropriate cleaning solutions before setting up your supplies. Use EPA-approved disinfectants that are effective against bloodborne pathogens.
Organize Supplies: Arrange your supplies in a logical order based on the steps of the procedure. For example, place antiseptics and gauze within easy reach but away from potential contamination sources.
Minimize Clutter: Keep only essential items on the work surface to prevent distractions and reduce the risk of accidentally contaminating non-essential items.
4. Proper Use of Tourniquets
The correct application of tourniquets is vital for successful venipuncture while minimizing discomfort for patients:
Application Technique: The tourniquet is applied approximately 3–4 inches above the intended venipuncture site. It should is snug but not overly tight; it should feel firm without causing pain.
Duration of Application: The tourniquet should not be left on for more than one minute to avoid complications such as hemoconcentration, which can affect test results by altering the composition of blood samples.
Monitoring Patient Comfort: The patient should be monitored continuously for comfort level while the tourniquet is applied. It should be loosened if the patient expresses discomfort.
Removal Before Puncture: The tourniquet is removed once the flash return is seen to reduce discomfort and venous collapse during puncture.
5. Disinfecting the Entry Site
Proper disinfection techniques are crucial for preventing infections at the venipuncture site:
Selection of Antiseptic: Alcohol prep pads (70% isopropyl alcohol) or chlorhexidine wipes can be used based on facility protocols. Chlorhexidine is often preferred due to its residual antimicrobial activity.
Disinfection Technique: The area is cleansed using a circular motion starting from the center of the intended puncture site and moving outward in concentric circles. This technique helps lift bacteria away from the skin surface rather than pushing them into it.
Air Drying: The disinfected area is allowed to air dry completely before proceeding with venipuncture. This step is critical as wet antiseptics can dilute blood samples and potentially introduce contaminants.
6. Blood Collection Techniques
Utilizing proper techniques during blood collection ensures both patient safety and accurate test results:
Needle Insertion Angle: The needle is typically inserted between 15–30 degrees depending on vein depth and type of needle used (e.g., butterfly vs. straight needle). A proper angle helps facilitate smooth entry into the vein while minimizing discomfort.
Filling Order of Collection Tubes: Its import that the tubes are filled in the proper order (e.g., blood cultures tubes/specimens collected first, then light blue for coagulation tests) to prevent cross-contamination between additives in different tubes. This order ensures accurate test results by maintaining additive integrity.
Gentle Handling of Tubes: Once filled, tubes are gently inverted to mix any additive and the patient’s blood. Vigorous or hard shaking may cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells).
Blood Collection products from MYCO Medical, like the RELI® Safety Blood Collection Set with EZ-Flash® Technology, are designed with intuitive safety features and ergonomic design for safe handling, ease-of-use, and improved performance. Our needles are manufactured to strict quality standards using computerized grinding and 100% visual camera inspection to ensure sharp, consistent, and high-quality needles.
All our products are produced in ISO 13485 certified facilities which utilize good manufacturing practices by USFDA standards.
7. Disposal of Sharps
Safe disposal practices are essential in preventing needlestick injuries and maintaining a safe environment. In a recent study, it is estimated that more than 5.6 million workers in health care and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens, that is why sharps safety should be prioritized and strictly followed:
Immediate Disposal Protocols: After use, needles are immediately placed into a designated sharps container without attempting to recap them. Needles should never be recapped as this practice increases the risk of accidental needlestick injuries.
Sharps Container Specifications: The sharps containers should be puncture-proof, leak-resistant, and clearly labeled as “Biohazardous.” They should be located within arm’s reach during procedures to facilitate immediate disposal.
Container Management: Sharps containers should be checked regularly to ensure they are not overfilled; full containers are disposed of according to local regulations regarding biohazard waste management.
Conclusion
Following safety guidelines when handling blood collection supplies is essential for protecting both healthcare providers and patients. By adhering to these practices, you can minimize risks associated with bloodborne pathogens and ensure a safe environment during blood collection procedures.
2. Kasting, C., Martin, L. S., & Mullan, R. J. (1997). Sharps disposal containers: selection, evaluation, and use. Journal of the American Biological Safety Association, 2(4), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/109135059700200410
Get Blood Collection Sets, Blood Transfer Devices, and More from MYCO Medical
MYCO Medical is an NMSDC-certified diversity supplier that delivers premium medical devices and disposables to healthcare systems throughout the United States and Canada. Since 1993, we've helped countless hospitals and care centers overcome their most significant supply chain challenges and build a consistent stream of high-quality medical supplies.
Our Blood Collection products have intuitive safety features and ergonomic design for safe handling, ease of use, and improved performance. Our needles are manufactured to strict quality standards using computerized grinding and 100% visual camera inspection to yield sharp, consistent, high-quality needles. All products are produced in ISO 13485-certified facilities, which utilize good manufacturing practices per USFDA standards.
Browse our wide selection of blood collection products, including safety blood collection sets, safety blood collection needles, conventional blood collection needles, male and female blood transfer devices, tube holders, and more. Contact our sales team today and receive a free complimentary sample and quote for our most popular products.
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