10 • Perform venepuncture

13 • Once sufficient blood has been

collected, Practical guidance on
using a smooth,
• Withdraw the needle venepuncture
2
clean entry with a
16-gauge needle.
• Ask the donor to
gently and then give the
patient a clean gauze or
dry cotton-wool ball to
for blood donation
open and close the
apply to the site with
fist slowly every
gentle pressure.
10–12 seconds
during collection. • Collect samples.
• Remove the • Cut off the needle using a sterile pair of scissors.
tourniquet • Collect blood samples for laboratory testing.
when the blood flow is established
or after 2 minutes, whichever
comes first.

11 • Monitor the donor.

Look for:
14 • Care for the donor after the donation.

• Ask the donor to remain in the chair and relax for

• sweating, pallor or a few minutes.
complaints of feeling • Inspect the site; if it is not bleeding, apply a
faint that may precede bandage to the site; if it is bleeding, apply further
fainting; pressure.
• development of a haematoma • Before the donor leaves the donation room,
at the injection site; ensure that the person can stand up without
• changes in blood flow that dizziness and without a drop in blood pressure.
may indicate the needle has • Offer the donor refreshments.
moved in the vein, and needs to be repositioned.

12 • Mix the collected blood gently

15
with the anticoagulant,
• Ensure the blood unit and samples are
either manually or by continuous mechanical stored and delivered appropriately.
mixing, about every 30 seconds during the WHO guidelines on drawing blood:
donation. Best practices in phlebotomy
1 • Assemble equipment
5 • Select the site (preferably
at the bend of the elbow).
9 • Disinfect the site.
• Include a closed
collection • Palpate the area; If visibly dirty,
system with locate a vein of a wash with soap
a sterile good size that is and water, and
blood visible, straight then wipe dry
collection and clear. with single-use
bag • The vein should towels.
containing anticoagulant, with an be visible without • One-step procedure (recommended – takes
integrally attached tube and needle. applying the about one minute):
tourniquet.

2
> use a product combining 2% chlorhexidine
• Perform hand hygiene. gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol;
> cover the area and ensure that the skin is in
(if using soap and water, dry hands

6
contact with the disinfectant for at least
with single-use towels) • Apply a 30 seconds;
tourniquet
> allow to dry completely (30 seconds).

3 • Identify and prepare

the donor.
or blood pressure cuff
inflated to 40–60 mm Hg.
• Two-step procedure (if chlorhexidine
gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol
disinfectant is not available, use this procedure
Ask the donor to state his – takes about two minutes):
full name.
7 • Ask the donor
> step 1 – use 70% isopropyl alcohol;
• cover the area and ensure that the skin is in
contact with the disinfectant for at least
to form a fist

4 • Label blood collection bag and test tubes.

Ensure that:
so that the veins are
more prominent.
30 seconds;
• allow to dry completely (about 30 seconds);
> step 2 – use tincture of iodine or
• the blood collection bag chlorhexidine (2%);

8
is of the correct type; • cover the area and ensure that the skin is in
• Put on well-fitting, contact with the disinfectant for at least 30
• the labels on the blood non-sterile gloves.
seconds;
collection bag and
satellite bags, sample tubes and • allow to dry completely (30 seconds).
donor records have the correct DO NOT touch the site after disinfection.
patient name and number.
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