Cross-sectional investigation in problems and solutions of blood specimen collection by clinical nurses

Objective To investigate practical status of blood specimen collection by clinical nurses in order to discover problems in clinical practice and provide clues for clinical evidence-based nursing practice. Methods The practical status of blood specimen collection was investigated among 225 nurses from 8 hospitals by self-designed questionnaire. Results The causes of problem with highest frequency in frequent occurrence were mainly from patients. For example, there were 51 nurses(22.7%) of collecting a large amount of blood specimen for one time, 33 nurses(14.7%) patients′ being of nervous and scared. Next it was cuases from nurses, for example, 18 nurses(8.0%) of collecting a blood specimen with scalp acupuncture, 12 nurses(5.3%) of difficulty in vessel acupuncture. Causes from other aspects were few. The frequency of problem with no occurrence was the highest. There were 178 nurses(79.1%) of blood collection from the transfusion side, 178 nurses(79.1%) of contaminated blood specimens, 144 nurses(64.0%) of mistaking blood collection tubes. 214 nurses(95.5%) would inquire other nurses when they had problems in blood collection, 105 nurses(46.9%) would inquire the laboratory department, and 47 nurses(21.0%) would inquire the doctors. Conclusions Some problems exist in clinical blood specimen collection. These problems occur occasionally and mainly come from patients. Problems from nurses are few but they still need to be improved. Limitation exists in nurses′ consultation channels and training materials. Administrators are suggested to enhance the supervision, and carry out specialized training and promote diversified operating procedures. Key words: Blood specimen collection; Clinical nurses; Cross-sectional investigation