The aim of this document is to provide a simple, condensed, risk- and evidence-based recommendation for venous blood sampling. Although several documents of the same or a similar aim and scope already exist, we believe that this document is necessary to encourage and catalyze standardization of blood collection practices across Europe and Latin America. There are several reasons behind this. A study published by EFLM WG-PRE,
in 2013 showed that out of the 28 European countries questioned, only seven had their own written nationally accepted protocols (guidelines, recommendations) for venous blood sampling.
It offers guidance on the requirements for ensuring that blood collection is a safe and patient-centered procedure and provides practical guidance on how to successfully overcome potential barriers and obstacles to its widespread implementation.
Authors: Ana-Maria Simundic, Karin Bölenius, Janne Cadamuro, Stephen Church, Michael P. Cornes, Edmée C. van Dongen-Lases, Pinar Eker, Tanja Erdeljanovic, Kjell Grankvist, Joao Tiago Guimaraes, Roger Hoke, Mercedes Ibarz, Helene Ivanov, Svetlana Kovalevskaya, Gunn B.B. Kristensen, Gabriel Lima-Oliveira, Giuseppe Lippi, Alexander von Meyer, Mads Nybo, Barbara De la Salle, Christa Seipelt, Zorica Sumarac and Pieter Vermeersch, on behalf of the Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE), of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and Latin American Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE-LATAM) of the Latin America Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI).
