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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Confirm collection requirements
   • Greet client courteously and identify self
   • Identify client following organisation and regulatory procedures
   • Confirm that client meets pre-testing criteria for the arterial collection and seek assistance from medical staff if required
   • Obtain, interpret and accurately record personal and clinical information in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Explain collection procedure to client
   • Obtain consent for collection procedure from client
3. Prepare for arterial collection
   • Select and prepare equipment, transport containers and disposables suited to arterial collection
   • Position client to ensure comfort and safety of both client and collector
   • Confirm blood volume required according to laboratory requirements
   • Locate radial and ulnar arteries and check the integrity of arterial circulation of the hand using the Allen’s test
   • Proceed with test when all criteria are met
4. Draw arterial blood
   • Adopt standard and additional infection control guidelines and precautions according to organisation documented procedure
   • Prepare skin at collection site according to organisation policies and procedures
   • Locate radial artery, insert needle at correct angle 90 degrees, and collect sufficient sample volume for requested test
   • Following sample collection, apply sustained pressure to site immediately following collection according to organisation policies and procedures
   • Dispose of needle safely using the approved sharps disposal device in accordance with organisational policy
   • Fit stopper to syringe immediately after removal of needle
   • Mix sample thoroughly, label and prepare for transport in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
   • Ensure documentation is accurately and fully completed and confirm information accuracy with client
   • After appropriate length of time check puncture site to ensure bleeding has stopped and cover site with appropriate dressing
5. Perform post collection procedures
   • Dispose of waste in accordance with infection control protocols and organisation policies and procedures
   • Confirm client comfort and provide accurate post collection information and instructions
   • Notify appropriate staff so that the client’s condition can be monitored
   • Organise prompt transport of sample to testing location according to organisation requirements

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 400 hours of work as a health professional, medical technician or pathology collector

followed established technical, infection control and safety procedures for the collection of arterial blood from at least 3 different clients

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for collection of arterial blood samples collection, and how these are applied in organisations:

duty of care

informed consent

mandatory reporting

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

work role boundaries

boundaries of responsibilities

sources of blood sample requests and the nature of interactions with other health services

work health and safety

standard infection control requirements for clinical procedures:

hand hygiene

use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

avoiding contact with bodily fluids

sharps injury prevention and treatment if sustained

waste disposal

industry terminology used in arterial blood collection:

equipment

procedures

abbreviations

medical terminology

clinical risks of arterial blood collection and how to avoid or minimise

pre-test procedures:

oxygen therapy

room air

medication

appropriate collection sites for arterial blood and techniques for collection

features, functions and use of arterial blood collection equipment

anatomy and physiology of the circulatory system relevant to arterial blood collection, including the importance of surrounding structures and purpose of performing circulation assessment (Allen’s test)

management of post collection complications, including bleeding

arterial blood sample handling, transport and storage requirements

quality sample requirements

basic analysis process for arterial blood samples

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