CHAPTER 1 Flash Cards

Chapters 1

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is the process of obtaining blood from a patient for laboratory testing, or other medical purposes. The word refers to making an incision into a vein to remove blood. In modern healthcare, phlebotomy most commonly involves venipuncture or skin puncture.

What is the primary purpose of phlebotomy?

To safely obtain a properly identified and properly collected blood specimen so the laboratory can preform accurate diagnostic testing.

What is a Phlebotomist?

A healthcare professional trained to collect blood specimens from patients, primarily through venipuncture and skin puncture.

Why is proper patient identification one of the most important responsibilities of a phlebotomist?

Because a specimen collected from the wrong patient can lead to incorrect diagnosis or treatment. Patient identification errors can have serious or even-life threatening consequences, especially in blood ranking.

What are the two major methods of blood collection a phlebotomist may preform?

Venipuncture and Capillary

What is venipuncture?

The collection of blood from a vein, usually a needle and evacuated tube or syringe.

What is Capillary puncture?

A small puncture of the skin to obtain capillary blood, commonly from a finger or heel depending on the patient.

What is exsanguinate?

To remove or drain blood from the body. In phlebotomy context, it refers to removing blood through collection.

What is healthcare delivery?

The system through which healthcare services are provided to individuals and populations. Healthcare can range from preventative and routine care to highly specialized treatment.

What is primary care?

The first level of healthcare and the usual point of contact for patients. It focuses on routine, preventive and basic medical care.

Give examples of primary care

Routine physical examinations, vaccinations, health screenings, treatment of minor illnesses, preventive care, and management of common health problems.

What is secondary care?

Specialized healthcare generally provided after referral from a primary care provider.

Give examples of secondary care

Seeing a cardiologist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, or other specialist for a condition requiring specialized evaluation.

What is tertiary care?

Highly specialized and complex medical care, usually provided by specialized hospitals or medical centers.

Give examples of tertiary care

Organ transplantation, major trauma treatment, complex cancer treatment, neurosurgery, and other highly specialized procedures.

What is the easiest way to remember primary, secondary, and tertiary care?

Primary= first/basic care, Secondary=specialist care. Tertiary=highly specialized/complex care.

A patient visits their family doctor for a routine physical. What level of care is this?

Primary care

A patient is referred to a cardiologist for a evaluation of a heart condition, What level of care is this?

Secondary care

A patient requires a complex organ transplant at a specialized medical center. What level of care is this?

Tertiary Care

What does ambulatory mean in healthcare?

Ambulatory care refers to healthcare provided to patients who do not require an overnight hospital stay.

What is ambulatory care?

Outpatient healthcare in which patients receive services without being admitted to the hospital overnight.

Give examples of ambulatory care facilities

Physicians offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, outpatient laboratories and some surgical centers

What does non-ambulatory mean?

Patient may stay overnight or multiple at a hospital. Unable to walk or move independently. A non-ambulatory patient may require a wheelchair, stretcher, or assistance with movement

What is a third-party payer?

An organization other than the patient or healthcare provider that pays for some or all a patients healthcare services.

What is an example of a third-party payer?

A health insurance company

Who are the three parties involved when a third party payer is used?

The patient, the healthcare provider, and the third-party payer/insurance company

Why is the term “third-party” used?

The patient is one party and the healthcare provider is another; the insurance company or other payer is the third party responsible for payment.

What does CPT stand for?

Current Procedural Terminology

What is CPT used for?

CPT codes are standardized codes used to identify and report medical procedures and services for purposes such as billing and reimbursement

Why are CPT codes important to healthcare laboratories?

They help identify laboratory procedures/services for billing, reimbursement, and documentation.

What does ICD stand for?

International Classification of Diseases

What is ICD used for?

Codes mased on medical conditions, symptoms or body systems.

What does MLS Stand for?

Medical Laboratory Scientist

What does MLT stand for?

Medical Lab Technician

What is the general difference between an MLS and an MLT?

Both preform laboratory testing, but an MLS generally has more extensive education and training and may preform more complex testing, analysis, quality control and supervisory responsibilities. An MLT generally preforms a more limited range of laboratory procedures under established protocols.

Do MLS and MLT professionals work directly with patient specimens?

Yes. Both may process and test patient specimens depending on their training, certification employer, and scope of practice.

What does CE stand for?

Continuing Education

What is continuing education?

Educational activities completed after initial training to maintain, update or expand professional knowledge and skills

Why is continuing education important in laboratory medicine?

Laboratory technology, regulations, procedures, safety standards and testing methods change overtime. CE helps professionals maintain competence and meet professional or regulatory requirements.

What is licensure?

Official permission granted by a governmental authority allowing an individual to practice a profession within a specific jurisdiction.

Is licensure the same thing as a certificate?

No. Licensure is governmental authorization to practice. Certification generally demonstrates that a person has met professional competency requirements through a certifying organization.

If someone receives a certificate of completion from a training course, does that automatically mean they are licensed to practice professionally?

No, A certificate of completion only shoes the specified education/training. Licensure is a separate governmental process when required.

What is a local Health department?

A governmental organization responsible for protecting and improving the health of people in a particular community or jurisdiction.

What types of services can a local health department provide?

Immunizations, disease prevention and surveillance, health education, food safety, inspections, communicable disease control, and some community health programs

Does a local health department issue professional licenses?

No.

A question asks which organization provides community disease prevention programs and food safety inspections, but does NOT issue professional licenses. What is likely the answer?

Local Health Department

What is verbal communication?

Communication using spoken or written words to convey information.

Give examples of verbal communication in phlebotomy

Explaining a blood draw, asking the patient to state their name, and date of birth, giving instructions, answering questions

Why is clear verbal communication important for a phlebotomist?

It helps patients understand procedures, reduces anxiety, prevents misunderstandings, and promotes safety.

What is nonverbal communication?

Communication that occurs without words, including facial expressions, posture, gestures, eye contact, boy movement, tone related cues, and personal space.

Approximately what percentage of communication is considered unspoken/nonverbal?

Approximately 80 percent

Why is nonverbal communication especially important in healthcare?

Patients may interpret a healthcare workers facial expressions. posture, eye contact and body language, even when the worker says nothing.

What is Kinesics?

Communication through body movement, gestures, posture, and facial expressions.

What are examples of kinesics?

Smiling, frowning, crossing arms, maintaining posture, hand gestures, and facial expressions

A phlebotomist smiles and nods while listening to a nervous patient. what concept does this demonstrate?

Kinesics/nonverbal communication

What is proxemics?

Communication through the use of personal space and physical distance between people.

Why is proxemics important to a phlebotomist?

Healthcare procedures require close physical contact, so respecting appropriate personal space can help patients feel safe and comfortable.

A healthcare worker stands extremely close to a patient while speaking to them. What area of nonverbal communication is involved?

Proxemics

What are Territorial Zones?

Different areas of personal space surrounding an individual that communicate different levels of intimacy or social interaction.

What is the intimate zone?

The area of personal space closest to a person, normally reserved for very close relationships or situations requiring close physical contact.

Why may healthcare workers enter a patients intimate zone?

Certain medical procedures, including blood collection, require close physical contact.

What should a phlebotomist do before entering a patient's personal/intimate space?

Explain the procedure, communicate what they are going to do, maintain professionalism, and respect the patient's comfort and privacy

What is a communication barrier?

Anything that interferes with the accurate exchange or understanding of information

What are common communication barriers in healthcare?

Language differences, hearing impairment, speech difficulties, anxiety, fear, cultural differences, medical term, environmental noise, distractions, filters, prejudices, assumptions.

A patient cannot understand a phlebotomist because they speak different languages. What is this an example of?

A language related communication barrier

A patient is extremely anxious and cannot concentrate on the phlebotomists instructions. What is this an example of?

A communication barrier

What does HIPAA stand for?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

What is HIPAA?

A U.S law containing provisions that protect the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI), among other healthcare related requirements

What is PHI?

Protected Health information, individually identifiable health information that is protected under HIPAA

Why is HIPAA important to phlebotomists?

Phlebotomists have access to patient names, test orders, medical information, and laboratory results. They must protect patient confidentiality

A phlebotomist tells a patients friend what tests the patient is having without authorization. What major concept is being violated?

Patient confidentiality/ HIPAA privacy requirements

What ASCP

The American Society for Clinical Pathology

What is ASCP?

A professional organization associated with pathology and laboratory medicine that provides professional resources, education, advocacy, and certification programs.

What is an important distinction between ASCP and a local health department?

ASCP is a professional organization/certifying body, while a local health department is a governmental public-health agency. A local health department does NOT issue professional licenses