Health Care POV - Phlebotomy: Use of "c" or "window" anchoring for venipuncture

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Phlebotomy: Use of "c" or "window" anchoring for venipuncture

Last post 10-06-2011, 4:32 PM by Christine Lopez. 2 replies.


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06-18-2011, 6:00 PM

Christine Lopez
Joined on 06-18-2011
Phlebotomy Instuctor/Phlebotomy Technician, ASCP
MCC Penn Valley
Kansas City, MO
2 Posts

Phlebotomy: Use of "c" or "window" anchoring for venipuncture

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The use of "c" or " window" anchoring for venipuncture is poor practice because of needlestick risk, but who says? Looking for the CLSI standard, OSHA requirement or other professional agency standard. thanx.

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07-13-2011, 12:44 PM

Catherine Ernst
Joined on 06-09-2010
2 Posts

Re: Phlebotomy: Use of "c" or "window" anchoring for venipuncture

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According to CLSI "Procedures for the Collection of Diagnostic Blood Specimens by Venipuncture; Approved Standard - Sixth Edition" H3-A6 on page 15 it states: Anchoring the vein from above is not recommended due to the risk of an accidental needlestick.

Common sense also dictates that you do not put your fingers above the needle. A patient suddenly jumps and in a split second you have potentially been exposed to a life-changing blood-born pathogen.

Catherine Ernst, RN, PBT (ASCP)
School Administrator
Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc.