Collection of blood specimen from central or peripheral venous catheter

Procedure Information

What is a Collection of Blood Specimen from Central or Peripheral Venous Catheter?

A collection of blood specimen from a central or peripheral venous catheter is a medical procedure in which a healthcare professional draws a sample of blood through a central (centrally inserted) or a peripheral (outside) catheter. The catheter is a small, thin tube that is inserted in an artery or vein - depending on the type of blood specimen needed - in order for the sample to be taken.

Why would I get a Collection of Blood Specimen from Central or Peripheral Venous Catheter?

This type of procedure may be necessary for a variety of reasons. Your doctor may recommend it if they need to test your blood for a specific condition or to check your electrolyte levels. It may also be used if there is a need to monitor your medication levels in order to adjust them if they are too low or too high.

What happens during a Collection of Blood Specimen from Central or Peripheral Venous Catheter?

The healthcare professional will use a sterile technique in order to insert the catheter. This is normally done by using either local anaesthetic or a slight skin prick so that they can insert the catheter in your artery or vein. Once it is in place, the sample of blood can be taken through the catheter and sent off for testing.

What to expect after a Collection of Blood Specimen from Central or Peripheral Venous Catheter?

After the catheter is removed, you may be advised to apply a gauze bandage and a wrap in order to reduce any bleeding. You may also be given advice on how to care for the insertion site. In general, the procedure should take no longer than 30 minutes and your results should be available within a few days.

Conclusion

A collection of blood specimen from a central or peripheral venous catheter is a quick, efficient medical procedure that is used to collect a sample of your blood for testing. It is normally a safe, low-risk procedure and the results should be available in a few days.