Phlebotomy, commonly referred to as a “blood draw,” is the act of drawing or removing blood from the circulatory system to obtain a sample for diagnostic tests.
Amount of blood drawn depends on the purpose of the phlebotomy
Performed by puncturing a vein with a needle
Volume of blood needed for laboratory analysis varies widely with the type of test being conducted
Mission Statement
The Department of Pathology Phlebotomy Service is committed to being a partner in excellence in patient care with other University of Iowa Health Care departments by providing quality patient samples in a timely manner, excellence in patient satisfaction and by conducting education and training programs to enable employees to meet standards of practice, while promoting a safe and effective working environment.
At UI Health Care, phlebotomy staff in the Department of Pathology undergo extensive training for a minimum of six months. Phlebotomists who perform the procedure on children must undergo additional training. Many of our phlebotomists are certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as Phlebotomy Technicians (PBT).
