Loftus 1

McKenna Loftus

Mrs. Widrick

Clinical Rotation; Lab

February 10th, 2022

When you get blood drawn or different tests done, you don’t necessarily take the time to

think about the process that happens before you receive the results of said test. From a patient's

perspective, I had no idea what happened to my blood after it was drawn and put into a tube.

After my rotation, I now have general knowledge on what happens. As with everything, there are

numerous different steps you have to take before getting results for something. Depending on the

test that is being run, you may need to spin the blood and separate the different components of it.

I was able to observe numerous different tests in which the blood was separated.

Apart from dealing with drawing blood, the lab also deals with different diagnostic tests

such as urinalysis, pregnancy tests, and other tests that check for things such as your hemoglobin

level, or your iron and protein levels. I learned that tests that involve urine have to be completed

within 24-48hrs. If you exceed that time limit, you will have to get a fresh urine sample. Some of

the most common tests run on urine are pregnancy tests, drug tests, and tests that check for a

urinary tract infection. There were many different machines in the lab that all had different jobs

and even with all of the equipment they did have, they weren’t able to run all of the testing that

exists. When you come across an order for a test that requires a piece of equipment that you

don’t have in house, you have to send it out to a neighboring lab, (such as different labs in

Rochester, Watertown, Utica, and Syracuse). At LCGH, specimens are picked up every day at

around 3pm. In some cases, tests and specimens are sent out for more analysis if the biologist

thinks another opinion is necessary.

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In addition to observing the chemistry section of the lab, I was also able to observe a

phlebotomist. I noticed that most of the people that worked in the lab, whether they worked in

chemistry, hematology or blood bank, were all able to draw blood. Most phlebotomy courses can

be completed within a year and aren't too costly. I was able to call the patients into the room to

have their blood drawn, making sure to identify their correct name and date of birth twice. This

is important to make sure that you have the right patient, and that all of the information in the

computers and on the paperwork is correct. After calling one patient in, I discovered that the

birthdate she confirmed with me orally did not match the birthdate on her lab order. The labels

were reprinted and the error was fixed, but I'm glad that I noticed this. The phlebotomist that I

was able to observe had been in this profession for more than 50 years, and she was amazing at

what she did. Sometimes, it can be hard to locate a vein with good blood supply. Veins feel like

long, skinny balloons under your skin. In order to find them, I gently pressed on the patient's

forearm with my left finger. It’s common for phlebotomists to locate veins with their

non-dominant hand. This is because when you draw blood, you are holding the equipment

(needle, tubes) in your dominant hand; you would struggle trying to feel for a vein using your

hand that was already holding equipment. I also learned how to properly tie a tourniquet. It has

to be tied tightly around the middle of the patient's bicep, and the ends of the tourniquet have to

be facing up; this helps for a quicker release when you are done drawing the patient. Depending

on the size of the vein you are able to locate, you will then decide what type of needle to use.

The size of the needle gauges are described as the higher the number, the smaller the needle and

the smaller the number, the larger the needle. It is often that phlebotomists will use what is called

the “butterfly” needle on people that have difficult veins to access and infants/children.
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Overall, I really enjoyed being able to observe all that goes on in the lab. Everyone was

extremely welcoming and the atmosphere was positive. My favorite part was being able to find

the patient's veins, and being able to watch the phlebotomist in general. The chemistry and

microbiology part were also extremely interesting.

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References

NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. Retrieved February 11, 2022, from

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/infections/how-should-i-collect-and-

store-a-urine-sample/

How to become a phlebotomist. All Allied Health Schools. (2022, January 20). Retrieved

February 11, 2022, from

https://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/phlebotomist/#:~:text=A%20phlebotomist

%20is%20a%20key,fear%20of%20needles%20or%20blood.

Gauge size guide. Allevi. (2020, March 5). Retrieved February 11, 2022, from

https://www.allevi3d.com/gauge-size-guide/