What is Phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is when a person uses a needle to take blood from a vein. This is usually in the arm. Phlebotomy is also sometimes referred to as blood draw or venipuncture. It is an important tool for diagnosing a lot of medical conditions. The blood is usually sent off to a laboratory for testing. However, the blood is sometimes withdrawn as a form of treatment for certain medical conditions. This is known as therapeutic phlebotomy. It removes any extra red blood cells, extra iron, or unusually shaped blood cells from the blood. Therapeutic phlebotomy is used to treat people who have:- Hemochromatosis
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Polycythemia Vera
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Risks and Side Effects of Phlebotomy
There are a few risks involved with phlebotomy. Some people may find the process of phlebotomy uncomfortable, however, this uncomfortable feeling shouldn’t last long. Some people can get sick to their stomach if the sight of blood bothers them or if they are afraid of needles. There is no need to feel bad if you feel this way, it is actually very common. Some people may even have what is called a vasovagal reaction. This is a physical response which comes from your nervous system and can make you feel dizzy, break out in a sweat, and can cause your blood pressure or heart rate to drop. This can even sometimes result in the person fainting. Some relaxation techniques can be helpful to resolve this such as deep breathing or looking at something else to distract yourself. If you do feel dizzy after a phlebotomy procedure, then you should sit or lie down and put your head between your knees until you finish feeling lightheaded. Over the day after having the procedure, you may notice redness or bruising at the site where the needle was inserted. The area may also be a little bit sore. Most side effects of phlebotomy resolve quickly afterward. Anyone who has gone under a phlebotomy procedure will be recommended to drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol, and to avoid exercise for a few hours after the procedure.History of Phlebotomy
Humans have been bloodletting for many thousands of years. It all began when the Egyptians began taking blood and it then spread to the Greeks and Romans before then reaching Asia and Europe. The practice of phlebotomy was commonly used as a treatment for a lot of different medical conditions such as headaches, fevers, digestion issues, and loss of appetite. The practice was considered to be controversial because doctors would often draw a large amount of blood. This was the case for the first president of the United States, George Washington. After being outside in snowy weather in 1799, he became quite ill and developed a fever. As a form of treatment, his doctors drained around 40% of the blood from his body. He then passed away the following night. As time has gone on, bloodletting has been proved to be ineffective and, in a lot of cases, it has been proven to be a dangerous form of treatment. By the end of the nineteenth century, bloodletting became a lot less common than it originally was. In our modern world, phlebotomy is used in western cultures as a form of medical testing and is only used to treat a small number of specific blood diseases.What are the Education Requirements for a Phlebotomist?
Degree Programs
Most qualified phlebotomists will have undertaken a mixture of classroom training and on-the-job work experience. A college degree is not required to become a qualified phlebotomist, however, a lot of phlebotomists will obtain an associates degree. Another option for aspiring phlebotomists is a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. The topics of instruction in this kind of training include a focus on venipuncture, vascular physiology, vascular anatomy, safety procedures, proper handling of blood samples, and skin puncture techniques.Certification
In some states, certification is required to become a phlebotomist. Some of the main certifying bodies include the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians and the National Phlebotomy Association. The guidelines given for certification vary between different organizations by often call for a specific amount of on-the-job work experience and also membership to one of the certifying organizations. A certified phlebotomist is required to renew their certification, and this is usually needed annually. A requirement for maintaining the certification is continuing the education. Some topics of study for continuing education can include venipuncture, patient injury, blood contamination, lawsuits, and other related subjects.Phlebotomy Training in Las Vegas: Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you the information you need about phlebotomy training in Las Vegas. We have outlined some places which offer phlebotomy training in Las Vegas as well as some information about phlebotomy, the history of phlebotomy and the education requirements needed to become a phlebotomist. What are your thoughts on phlebotomy training? Are you a qualified phlebotomist with some advice for budding phlebotomists? We would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and advice. Please leave us a comment in the comments section below this article.Sorry, we could not find any matching schools
