What is the main goal of using proper blood collection techniques?

The primary goal of using proper blood collection techniques is to maintain sample integrity and prevent complications. When blood samples are collected with the correct procedures, it helps ensure that the sample accurately represents the patient's physiological status at the time of collection. This is crucial for reliable laboratory results, which inform diagnosis, treatment, and management of patient care. Maintaining integrity involves minimizing contamination, hemolysis, or other alterations that could skew test results.

Additionally, using proper techniques also plays a significant role in preventing complications such as excessive bleeding, hematoma formation, or infection at the site of collection. By adhering to established protocols, healthcare professionals can ensure that the blood is collected safely and effectively, reducing the risk of adverse outcomes for the patient.

While patient comfort, collection speed, and cost are also important aspects to consider in the overall context of blood collection, the primary objective remains ensuring that the sample obtained is of high quality and reliable for laboratory analysis.