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Phlebotomy blog on things you knew, did not know and want to know!

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Do you know anything abut blood?

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Did you know that blood is used for so many different things?

What can blood be used for?

Blood can save lives. When one has lost a lot of blood their organs can go into failure thus the need for a blood transfusion is a must. How does that work? People donate blood. Blood banks around the world or non profit organizations such as the American Red Cross or local hospitals hold something called a blood drive. They would generally advertise and let others know they are having a blood drive.

At the blood drive they have ask people to donate something and it is not money but blood!

After blood is donated it is checked for type and just in general to make sure the blood is from a healthy person. Afterwards it heads to a blood bank where it is stored until it is needed. Hospitals keep blood handy in case they need it.

People can lose blood due to a surgery, accident, childbirth etc thus hospitals are prepared to give a blood transfusion. In which they use blood that was donated to help the person that lost blood and saves their lives.

What else is blood used for?

Blood is also used to check for diseases or sickness. When blood is drawn, it goes to a laboratory where the blood is analyzed. The people in the lab then study the whole blood or analyze the parts that make up the blood. They can take a look at the red or white blood cells or plasma. This can tell them what the blood makeup is, and if the person is fighting a disease. Depending what they are looking for they will look at different parts of the blood. Everyone’s blood tells a story!

Blood is also used to see if one is a carrier for a disease or even to check for hereditary genes.

Blood can determine paternity and famliy tree as well.

Blood is an important part in out body which tells a lot of secrets if we know how to listen and study it!

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I want to donate blood!

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Want to save a Life?

 

You can! Donating blood is a gift to people in desperate need. Yes, you can seriously save a life with your blood! And your donation can save up to 3 lives!

Your body has about 10-12 pints of blood. When you donate they will take about 1 pint.

What you need to donate blood:

  1. You must be 17 and older in most states ( may have a weight restriction too)
  2. Healthy and fit
  3. Have not donated blood the last 56 days

The Process of Donating Blood:

  1. Eat iron rich foods

2. Go down to a donation center

3.They will ask for ID- to verify age

4. They will take you to a room or a chair to begin the donation- it takes about 8- 10 minutes

5. You are done! Many times there will be refreshments for those who have donated

6. The blood is sent to a lab for testing

7. Once approved, the blood will either go to a blood bank where it will be kept frozen until needed or it will go right away to those in need.

 

Thank you for your donation!

 

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How I want my Phlebotomist to behave

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How you can make a difference as a phlebotomist:

A Caring phlebotomist:

I recently visited my doctor and needed to take some blood tests. I do not think there are many people out there that enjoy having their blood drawn! You can definitely say that I am one of those that most certainly do not enjoy it.

I was sitting in the waiting room and waiting for my name to be called when a young obviously pregnant woman sat down next to me. She seemed nervous and apprehensive. She did not stop fidgeting and at one point she turned to me and said;” Have you ever had a blood test, it is my first pregnancy and I am nervous?” I replied in the affirmative and told her it is not that bad. Seeing how nervous she was I wasn’t ready to say that I actually hate taking them but you got to do what you got to do!

This woman was called in right before me and although there was a curtain for privacy between the room and the corridor where I was waiting, I heard the woman sigh. The phlebotomist seemed oblivious to the woman’s fear and just told her to roll her sleeves up and comply. The woman must have been taking her time for the nurse was getting impatient as she repeated her request. It seemed that as soon as the phlebotomist was ready to draw the blood another phlebotomist walked into the room and exclaimed loudly:” Oh my, dear do not be afraid, you will do fine, many people are nervous, here let me hold your hand.” As soon as she said that you were able to hear a whoosh of air escaping the woman’s mouth in relief!

Wow! the second phlebotomist really got her patient! She understood and acknowledged the woman’s fear and did not make light of it at all.

Phlebotomist have the power to make things easier for their patients and can easily appease them. Yup I think we need many more understanding and caring phlebotomist!

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Is blood different in the summer than during the winter time?

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Blood looks different every season!

Did you know that a phlebotomist  can tell which season it is by taking a look at your blood?

During the winter time your blood is fuller, that is because it contains more antibodies than during the summer time.

Blood pressure too, is shown to vary according to the seasons. During the winter time blood pressure is usually higher than during the summer time.

Interestingly, blood flows quicker during the summer time so it can make it easier to take some blood summertime.

So it seems that seasons make a difference regarding the blood composition and quality.

However, regardless of the season when you drink, sleep well and are relaxed it helps phlebotomist draw blood faster and smoother. At times, mimicking the summer heat by applying a heating pad on the area before taking blood can help too.

 

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Phlebotomy Training Near Me

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Looking for phlebotomy training near me?

There are many phlebotomy schools that can train you in phlebotomy. The differences with all the schools is their requirements. You must do your research and see if they fit your criteria. Some schools are not accredited while others are. How do you know what is good for you?

Ask them questions that you want information on you such as:
  1. How much their tuition is?
  2. Is the phlebotomy training near you?
  3. How long it will take you to complete their program?
  4.  Is the phlebotomy training program onsite or online?
  5. What type of coursework is included in the program?
  6. Do they prepare you for phlebotomy certification?
  7. Can you take the phlebotomy certification exam directly from  the program?
  8. Can they help you find a job?
  9.  Ask for references and always check their website.

Now you know what to look for check out the phlebotomy training near me: