Impact of Supervised Phlebotomy Training Programme on Performance Skills of Phlebotomy Staff

Abstract

Background: Phlebotomists with proper knowledge and skills are of significant importance in health care system. Improper training of phlebotomy staff can result in false patient laboratory results leading to improper diagnosis and also expose the laboratory staff to various health hazards. Objective: Objective of this study was to improve the knowledge and skills of laboratorystaff(phlebotomists) by inducting a training course of phlebotomy. Methodology: It was a quasi experimental study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Central Park Medical College from Feb 2016 to March 2017. A total of 80 participants were selected from Central Park Teaching Hospital (CPTH), Lahore and Bhatti International Teaching Hospital (BITH), Kasur who were involved in phlebotomy and all of them were enrolled in a phlebotomy training course. A pre-test was taken before the commencement of course and the score was compared with the post-test after the completion of training course. Also the number of pre-analytical errors (six months data) recorded before starting the training was compared with the number of pre analytical errors (six month data) after completion of the training course. Results: Our study revealed that there was a significant reduction in the number of pre analytical errors recorded in the pathology laboratories of CPTH and BITH after training of the phlebotomy staff. Conclusion: This study indicated that the proper training of the phlebotomy staff creates a positive impact on the technicians improving their skills and knowledge leading to improvement in the overall laboratory performance and the quality assurance.