Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy
Students practising phlebotomy
ICD-9-CM38.99
MeSHD018962

Phlebotomy is the process of making a puncture in a vein, usually in the arm, with a cannula for the purpose of drawing blood.[1] The procedure itself is known as a venipuncture, which is also used for intravenous therapy. A person who performs a phlebotomy is called a phlebotomist, although most doctors, nurses, and other technicians can also carry out a phlebotomy.[2] In contrast, phlebectomy is the removal of a vein.

Phlebotomies that are carried out in the treatment of some blood disorders are known as therapeutic phlebotomies.[3] The average volume of whole blood drawn in a therapeutic phlebotomy to an adult is 1 unit (450–500 ml) weekly to once every several months, as needed.[4]

  1. ^  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license. Betts, J Gordon; Desaix, Peter; Johnson, Eddie; Johnson, Jody E; Korol, Oksana; Kruse, Dean; Poe, Brandon; Wise, James; Womble, Mark D; Young, Kelly A (July 28, 2023). Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax CNX. 18.1 An overview of blood. ISBN 978-1-947172-04-3.
  2. ^ "FAQ". National Association of Phlebotomists. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  3. ^ Kim, KH; Oh, KY (2016). "Clinical applications of therapeutic phlebotomy". Journal of Blood Medicine. 7: 139–44. doi:10.2147/JBM.S108479. PMC 4957680. PMID 27486346.
  4. ^ Retrieved 17 February 2022.