How we support blood collection staff to satisfy the patient

Online training for healthcare professionals & Gamification

During your daily work, it can be difficult to make time for further education. That’s why we have developed e-learning modules that can be completed whenever you want, wherever you are, giving you the greatest possible flexibility. We offer online training for up-to-date clinical knowledge on CLiP® automatic safety IV catheters and SWiTCH automatic safety arterial catheters.

Learning is easier when you’re having fun, which is why we offer both on our quiz platform: learn more about us, our products and all about safety.

Anthony, what does a training session look like for you and what do you focus on?

It always depends on the training requested by the hospital/laboratory via our distributor. The training date and location (onsite or remote) is agreed on with the customer together with the distributor.

Once this has been agreed on, we decide which topics are to be discussed based on the needs. Hands-on and practical training using the artificial demo arm are always an essential part in my trainings to make sure the correct handling and application of the products are successfully delivered to the participants.

What topics are covered in your trainings?

Here we focus entirely on the needs of the customer. These are some typical subjects that we look at:

• the correct steps for a successful venous blood collection technique
• the importance of safety products in minimizing the risks of needlestick injuries
• recurring issues such as haemolysis or underfilling
• the importance of sample quality
• preanalytical lab errors and consequences
• troubleshooting techniques
• an overview of the Greiner Bio-One product offering and differences between products

Sometimes, new topics or concerns are raised by the participants during the training.

Underfilling is a common major error made in many institutions, and it is usually underrated and sometimes considered insignificant in terms of sample collection workflow and results accuracy. Why?

Whilst one of the main causes of underfilled tubes is simply the high workload during rush hours and stressful conditions, another is lack of training or up-to-date knowledge.

Nowadays, new analysers can perform a wide range of tests using just a few microliters of blood, yet still unnecessarily high volume tubes are often selected.

If a patient has poor vein conditions with low blood flow, this can result in an underfilling and an incorrect blood to additive ratio.

I start by explaining that VACUETTE^® Blood Collection Tubes are manufactured with a predefined vacuum in order to draw the exact blood volume required. This is especially important for Sodium Citrate tubes. The correct fill volume is crucial to ensure the correct blood to additive ratio for accurate test results. I also explain what happens in underfilled tubes: Citrate tubes for coagulation are especially sensitive to underfilling and can produce wildly inaccurate results when more than 10% underfilled. Within an under-filled sample the citrate to blood ratio is too high and can therefore lead to increased clotting times.

As a result of underfilled specimens, patients could be over-medicated, under-medicated, misdiagnosed, or generally mismanaged. The key is to always deliver correctly filled samples to the laboratory and having the proper blood to additive ratio so that test results can accurately reflect the patient’s real status and physiology, leading to better diagnosis and treatment.