Placard Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Placard and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| Finger Puncture Procedural Step Comment Caution Greet and positively identify patient Always use at least two patient identifiers to ensure positive patient identification. Never rely on name placards that are placed on or near the patient's bed or crib to identify the patient. If there is a discrepancy in identification, do not proceed until the discrepancy is resolved. Explain the procedure If the patient is a small child, be at eye level when explaining the procedure. Also explain the procedure to the parent(s). If the patient is aware of what will be happening there is less chance of the patient suddenly jerking away his/her hand when the puncture occurs. Position patient appropriately An outpatient who is a small child should sit on the parent's lap. If necessary, seek assistance for finger puncture if the patient is a small child. Cleanse hands and put on gloves Use soap and water or alcohol-based gel to cleanse hands. Cleanse hands before donning gloves and after removing gloves. Warm puncture site if needed Use the method that is approved by the laboratory for prewarming the puncture site. Never use a moist cloth that has been heated in a microwave as this may cause injury to the patient. Gather appropriate equipment Only have needed equipment at hand. Keep track of ALL equipment to prevent patient injury. Cleanse the puncture site Use 70% isopropanol unless the patient is sensitive to alcohol. Allow the site to air dry. Performing the puncture before the alcohol has dried may hemolyze the blood specimen. Securely grasp and puncture finger Puncture the side edge of the fleshy pad of fingertip. Avoid extreme side and tip of finger. Discard puncture device into appropriate container Puncture device should be discarded into a sharps container that is puncture-proof, has rigid sides, and has a lid Do not discard puncture devices into regular trash or biohazard bags. Injury to personnel who handle these bags may occur. Wipe away the first drop of blood Use slight pressure to facilitate blood flow. The first drop of blood contains tissure fluid that may contaminate or dilute the blood specimen and affect test results. Collect blood into container Allow blood to flow freely into the collection device. Tap the container gently on a hard surface to move blood further down into the tube if necessary. Do not "milk" the finger or scrape the collection device across the finger to obtain specimen; both actions may cause the specimen to hemolyze. Mix specimen immediately upon completion of the collection. Apply pressure to the puncture site to stop the bleeding. Use gauze to apply pressure to the puncture site. It is not advisable to apply an adhesive bandage over the skin puncture site if the child is less than two years old as the child may place the bandage in his/her mouth. Label specimen Specimen must be labeled in the presence of the patient. Unlabeled specimens will be rejected by the laboratory. | View Page |
| Heel Puncture The heel of the foot is the preferred site for dermal puncture and capillary blood collection for infants less than 12 months old. CAUTION: In premature infants, the bone may be as close as 2.0 mm under the skin of the plantar surface of the heel. The bone may be even closer--maybe half this distance-- on the back curve of the heel. Any puncture more than 2.0 mm may risk a puncture of the bone causing severe consequences to the infant. Only use approved preemie puncture devices on small infants. Procedural Step Comment Caution Positively identify patient Always use at least two patient identifiers to ensure positive patient identification. Never rely on name placards that are placed on or near the infant's crib to identify the patient. If there is a discrepancy in identification, do not proceed until the discrepancy is resolved. Position patient appropriately Position the infant so that the heel can be easily accessed. If necessary, seek assistance to stabilize baby's foot during the blood collection. Cleanse hands and put on gloves and any other required PPE. Use soap and water or alcohol-based gel to cleanse hands. Cleanse hands before donning gloves and after removing gloves. Choose puncture site Use the area of heel that is not striped (the white area) in the image on the left. Do not use the center portion of the heel, the arch of the foot, or toes as any of these sites may cause injury to nerves, tendons, and cartilage. Warm puncture site if needed Use only approved warming device. Never use a moist cloth that has been heated in a microwave as this may cause injury to the patient. Gather appropriate equipment Only have needed equipment at hand. Keep track of ALL equipment to prevent patient injury. Cleanse the puncture site Use 70% isopropanol. Allow the site to air dry. Performing the puncture before the alcohol has dried may hemolyze the blood specimen. Securely grasp and puncture the heel. Choose either side of the fleshy part of heel. Avoid center of heel and arch of the foot. Discard puncture device into appropriate container Puncture device should be discarded into a sharps container that is puncture-proof, has rigid sides, and has a lid Do not discard puncture devices into regular trash or biohazard bags. Injury to personnel who handle these bags may occur. Wipe away the first drop of blood Use slight pressure to facilitate blood flow. The first drop of blood contains tissue fluid that may contaminate or dilute the blood specimen and affect test results. Collect blood into container Allow blood to flow freely into the collection device. Tap the container gently on a hard surface to move blood further down into the tube if necessary. Do not "milk" or squeeze the heel excessively. Do not scrape the collection device across the heel to obtain specimen; these actions may cause the specimen to hemolyze. Mix specimen immediately upon completion of the collection to prevent clots. Apply pressure to the puncture site to stop the bleeding. Use gauze to apply pressure to the puncture site. Use a bandage only if this is an acceptable procedure in your facility. Label specimen Specimen must belabeled in the presence of the patient. Unlabeled specimens will be rejected by the laboratory. | View Page |
