Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), the global medical technology company has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to offer jointly certified phlebotomy courses to healthcare professionals. The move would support laboratories in driving best practices in pre-analytical processes for accurate and reliable diagnosis in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. The medical technology company is now gearing up to conduct workshops on phlebotomy based on good laboratory practices.

The training will include an overview on safe blood-drawing procedures and specimen handling. This programme will strengthen laboratory services by improving the quality of patient specimens and reducing incidences of needle stick injuries, thereby improving safety for both patients and healthcare workers.

According to  Susmita Shekhar, deputy secretary general, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi said, that there has been much advancement in the medical field in recent years that has led to the need for better standards for the service providers. Patients expect a certified professional to perform medical tasks while being treated in the hospital.

One of the areas that require expertise is blood withdrawal that is to be analysed and studied to diagnose the problems that the patient might have. This task must be performed by a certified and trained professional and such training programs with experts such as BD India will enhance skill development in this field, she added.

There will be comprehensive and intensive training imparted by BD. It will cover the on fundamental principles of safe blood collection; specimen handling and reporting that will help develop the critical capacity of maintaining first-rate specimen quality and protect the safety of patients and medical staff. The certification programme through this collaboration will enhance the skills of healthcare professionals in phlebotomy practices and improve their employability.

“With this collaboration, BD will continue its commitment toward sharing knowledge and enhancing clinical practices in creating sustainable improvements in healthcare. It is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling its purpose of Helping all people live healthy lives,” said Manoj Gopalakrishna, managing director, BD-India.

“Lack of pre analytical awareness is a key gap in laboratory diagnosis across the country. The phlebotomy training to be imparted through this collaboration will acquaint healthcare workers with appropriate Standard Operating Procedures in phlebotomy. We are always keen to work with laboratories looking to enhance their blood collection capabilities and at the same time, increase awareness on prevention of unwarranted needle stick injuries amongst healthcare workers,” added Dr Sanjay Sarin, director – Preanalytical Systems (PAS), BD-India.

Apart from educating phlebotomists and nurses on best sample collection practices, in India, BD also conducts Pre analytical Audits across laboratories and delivers specific modules that allow laboratory managers to improve their processes. BD’s phlebotomy training programmes have been certified by Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI), which is engaged in  constantly improving the practices of biochemistry and laboratory medicine. Worldwide, BD has conducted Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) training program in more than 60 countries and 5,566 participants have been trained so far in 623 sessions since August 2004.