If you ask a patient to hold the gauze pad, make sure that you stress the word tightly and demonstrate what you mean. Pressure should be held for at least 5 minutes. You may create unnecessary discomfort for the patient and some test results may be slightly altered. Hemolysis Hemolysis is the release of hemoglobin into the fluid portion of the blood as the result of breaking apart the cell walls of red blood cells. Though autohemolysis is a possibility, the most likely reason for hemolysis is mechanical and is ultimately the result of incorrect blood drawing or specimen processing techniques.
Hemolysis can adversely effect many laboratory results.
Therefore, it is critical to use proper techniques. When drawing with a syringe, DO NOT draw back on the plunger forcefully. A nice even, slow draw is preferred. Use the appropriately sized needle for the vein. When forced to use a 25 gauge needle, your best approach is to use a syringe so that you can control drawing the blood slowly .