Phlebotomy cycle time related to phlebotomist experience and/or hospital location

Abstract

Background: Little information is available regarding expected phlebotomy cycle time (total time needed to draw a blood specimen) in inpatient settings. Examining this variable in 4 hospitals in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, we determined the distribution of phlebotomy cycle times and compared this by hospital and by phlebotomist experience. Methods: Between April 2014 and August 2014, we observed phlebotomy timing at 4 adult acute care hospital locations. Phlebotomists were stratified into 3 experience levels: 0 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, and more than 5 years. We observed a total of 110 different phlebotomists. Results: We observed no statistical difference between experience levels (P=.07) or hospital location (P=.44) on mean phlebotomy cycle time. Conclusions: The mean (SD) phlebotomy cycle time was 259 (52) seconds per patient for normal phlebotomy procedures. If expected minimum and maximum phlebotomy times are defined as mean+/- 2 SD, the expected cycle time range is 196 to 404seconds.