Case Studies: Case Study 6

Case

  • A phlebotomist from the laboratory at Midtown Memorial Hospital was working evening shift. Her shift ended at 11 PM and it was 10:30 PM. She suddenly got orders for a STAT blood culture on the second floor. The order specified blood culture times two, 30 minutes apart. The phlebotomist went to the patient’s room and decided to collect both blood cultures at the same time form the same site so she would be able to leave on time without having to come back in thirty minutes to collect the second set. She also wanted to “save” the patient from an extra stick. While the phlebotomist was preparing for the collection, she realized she didn’t have any Betadine on her tray, and decided she would just clean the site twice with alcohol. She finished the blood culture collections and was able to leave by 11 PM.

Learn more about laboratory continuing education for individuals and lab safety and compliance courses for the whole lab.

Phlebotomy course details »

Learn more about laboratory continuing education for ASCP, AMT, NCA, and state renewal and recertification requirements »

Get information on OSHA laboratory safety courses for clinical and medical laboratories »