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Phlebotomist reporting results

  • 1.  Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-13-2024 10:16
    Edited by Kristen Patterson 04-13-2024 11:06

    One day I was asked to train a phleb on urinalysis and I figured I was just training them to pour up the urines and dipstick them because I know they are not able to release results since they are not a MLT or MT. However yesterday I was looking at a patients past urinalysis results to compare them to the current and I noticed a phleb had resulted them. Not only had they resulted them but they had resulted the specific gravity as "Refractometer" instead of a number. I have also noticed Lab Assistants have been releasing results and they are not qualified either. I don't see how this is allowed. Overall, I feel like I went to school for 4 years to become a MT for no reason because evidently people with no experience in Hematology and Urinalysis are able result patients as well. 


    Is this really allowable?



  • 2.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-13-2024 12:14

    It happened to me too. You show them a glimpse of what your doing then suddenly they are better than you and harassed you. This is not allowed at all. Report them to your health department and they will come and investigate whats going on at your hospital, if your department allow this stupidity to happen.



    ------------------------------
    Josie Corros Supervisor/Lead Med Lab Scientist/MedTechnologist
    Henderson NV
    (702)556-7111
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-14-2024 01:35
    Yes it is acceptable,  today's world is experiencing difficulties hiring people with a 4 year degree that can managed to perform high profile position and meet the expectations of physicians treating many patients that demand the proper care they deserve during times when its short staff..so..if management  allow phlebotomist or lab assistant to be trained correctly in multiple depts of laboratory..it shouldn't be a issue for them to proceed sending out results..bottom line..we all can be team players 



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    ASCP Ambassador
    Posted 04-15-2024 11:51

    My understanding is that lab assistants and phlebotomists are only allowed to report waived testing results after training and competency is completed and documented.



    ------------------------------
    Audrey Anderson MS, MLS(ASCP)
    Program Chair/Asst. Professor
    Northwestern Health Sciences University
    Bloomington, MN

    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-14-2024 01:24

    This is not allowed, we as lab tech are also contributing to the problem when we decided to demonstrate to them how to perform some of this test, illustrating to them is being unprofessional because we are aware of the consequences 



    ------------------------------
    Kevin Agwanda MLS / Med Technologist Supervisor
    Ugunja
    (701)412-605
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-14-2024 01:44

    Well that does not happen in lab I worked at for nearly 30 years. I know local Kaiser hospitals in my area hire MLT's to do the urine dipping but not sure about microscopic part. 

    My lab's IS department screens all new tech hires and goes over their clearance capabilities with each departments' supervisor. Good luck fixing your issue.



    ------------------------------
    Cindy Myhra Technologist/Scientist, non-supervisor (CT,MLS,MT)
    Jurupa Valley CA
    (951)263-0452
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-15-2024 11:10
    High complexity laboratory testing such as urine microscopics and differentials can be performed by MLTs with an associate degree.  The original message regarding phlebotomists performing urine dipsticks is also allowed under CLIA as a urine dipstick is categorized as a waived test which requires at least a high school diploma and documented tyraining and competency.  You may not think it is appropriate, but CLIA allows it.



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-14-2024 14:17

    I am a former physician office laboratory lab directer.  According to CLIA dipsticks are waived tests that can be reported out by anyone trained to do them.  There are specific guidelines for documentation of training. They are NOT allowed to perform microscopics as those are non-waived.  Anyone can perform and report out any type of kit test with a CLIA "Certificate of Waiver".

    Our profession needs to educate ourselves about CLIA personnel requirements.  We may not agree with them but they are the law of the land.

    I have attached two documents which may be helpful about the types of CLIA certificates and assessing competency.  What disturbs me is that after training annual competency assessment is not required of waived tests.

    Terry

     



    ------------------------------
    Terry Kotrla,MS, MLS(ASCP)BB
    Program Director MLS Program
    Austin State Hospital Laboratory
    Cedar Park TX
    (512)560-5361
    Educator (academic)Educator (academic)
    ------------------------------

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Types of CLIA Certificates.pdf   42 KB 1 version
    pdf
    CLIA_CompBrochure_508.pdf   1.26 MB 1 version


  • 9.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-15-2024 00:54

    In California, phlebotomists are not allowed to report lab results. CLIA allows it, but if the state is more strict than CLIA then you must follow state regs. Also, even in states that allow phlebs to report lab results, the lab director may not allow it and in that case you'd have to follow your internal policies approved by the lab director.



    ------------------------------
    Michelle Spinosa Department Director (technical)
    San Rafael CA
    (415)250-7273
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-16-2024 00:51

    At THE NAIROBI HOSPITAL,the phlebotomists are not even employed,so you find the LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS are the ones who do the phlebotomy services.

    There is no case of Phlebotomists reporting the results.



    ------------------------------
    Stephen Ngile Technologist/Scientist, non-supervisor (CT,MLS,MT)
    The Nairobi Hospital
    Nairobi
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-17-2024 00:59

    Hello. Here in UAE phlebotomist most of it are Lab Technologist graduate and not allowed to do urine dipstick unless you have a technologist license.

    Shajid Tahalang



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-17-2024 08:57
    Waive testing maybe but not complex
    Sent from my iPhone



    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-16-2024 09:23

    Good morning

    Clayton state University, Georgia has Phlebotomy program. This program trains student for blood draw as well as few spot tests like Urine dip stick, glucose level (figure stick) that perform in doctor's offices. Some students are very smart and picks up quickly. As per CLIA it is acceptable.




    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-15-2024 01:00

    I also wanted to add to the previous poster's comment that in non-waived clinical labs in CA you must do competencies for CLIA waived tests at 0,6,12 months and then annually, just like for non-waived.

    CLIA is less stringent than states like Ca, Ny, and FL.



    ------------------------------
    Michelle Spinosa Department Director (technical)
    San Rafael CA
    (415)250-7273
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-15-2024 14:58
    It really depends on your state. The person from NV is correct for their state, but not for TX. You will need to investigate the regulations for your state before  starting an action. It may be perfectly fine and that is the reason they have both the training and the security access to perform and result waived to moderate complexity tests. Hope this information helps.

    Sherri Gonzalez, MT(ASCP)
    Lab Director





  • 16.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-18-2024 09:04
    I believe that a UA dipstick, whether manual or automated, is waived testing, so no advanced degree is necessary, but training & competency are needed.
    They are often done in the ED, Labor & delivery area, as well as in Physician Office Labs.

    Thank you,

    Stephanie Yentsch, MT(ASCP)

    POC Coordinator

    UPMC Lititz

    1500 Highlands Dr.

    Lititz, PA 17543

    T 717-625-5172

    F 717-625-5587

    yentschsg@upmc.edu



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  • 17.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-19-2024 07:55
    Yes. Legally, the only qualification for reporting waived (or even moderately complex testing for that matter) is a high school diploma. I was the director of a couple smaller moderately complex clinic labs. At one time we had an older tech working for us, whose tech school had closed, and she was not ASCP certified. I was shocked to find out that the only documentation needed was a high school diploma or equivalent, on the job training, and verification of competency. An associate’s degree or higher is required only for high complex testing. That being said, I agree, I would never hire someone who didn’t have at least some lab training (such as a Medical Assistant), however federal law says you technically can. So, whether or not your uncertified individuals can actually report those results will depend on any state law that may be more strict than federal law, or internal policy that may ban it, but otherwise they legally can if they have a HS diploma or equivalent, and documentation of training and competency.

    The way I understood it, this law went into effect to help small rural communities who may have difficulty hiring technically trained individuals.

    Brenda


    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Phlebotomist reporting results

    Posted 04-20-2024 14:32
    Hi Everyone,

    Since we are in short of medical laboratory professionals, some of the Phlebotomists who are enthusiastic and looking forward to advancing their careers with training provided by employers would help Medical technologists in the medium complexity laboratories.

    I agreed that medical assistants and phlebotomists training and competency maintained with their current education level would help medium complexity laboratories.

    I have mixed group of Phlebotomists and medical technicians team working in medium complexity laboratories perfectly working efficiently. 

    Thank you!
    Nila





    Original Message