Safe Nurses’ Practices Regarding Phlebotomy Technique Among Patients Receiving Anticoagulants

Ali Salama, Asmaa; Elsayed Rady, Saada; Amin Ahmed, Doaa

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.371884

Safe Nurses’ Practices Regarding Phlebotomy Technique Among Patients Receiving Anticoagulants

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Demonstrator of Medical & Surgical Nursing, Damanhour University,

² Assistant Professor of Medical & Surgical Nursing, Damanhour University

³ lecturer of Medical & Surgical Nursing, Damanhour University

10.21608/ejhc.2024.371884

Abstract

Background: Phlebotomy is one of the most common invasive nursing procedures performed worldwide. It is considered safe if the procedure is conducted in accordance to the established guidelines. However, patients on anticoagulants are at a higher risk for complications, particularly bleeding therefore, it is crucial for nurses to adhere to safe practices to minimize the risk of adverse events. Aim of the study: to assess safe nurses' practices regarding phlebotomy technique among patients receiving anticoagulants. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at four inpatient units in Itay Elbaroud General Hospital affiliated to El-Beheira Health Directorate, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt. Subjects: All nurses (n=109) at the time of data collection were included in the study. Tool: One tool used for data collection which was "Phlebotomy safe nurses’ practices observational checklist". Results: The results revealed that 80.6% of the studied nurses had an unsatisfactory level of practice regarding phlebotomy among patients receiving anticoagulants, with a mean percent score of 68.5±7.0, in addition, there was a statistically significant relation between the average of safe nurses' practices and their age, those working in orthopedic department, longer years of previous nursing experience, and longer experience in the current ward; where p-values were ( 0.002, 0.002, 0.001, and 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory practices regarding phlebotomy technique among patients receiving anticoagulants. Recommendations: Ongoing and regular in-service training programs should be conducted to improve nurses’ phlebotomy-related practices for patients on anticoagulants such as avoiding probing, and proper tourniquet use.

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