BD India and Dr Lal PathLabs launch COE in phlebotomy

Healthcare workers to receive certified training on safe blood collection practices

BD and Dr Lal’s PathLabs inaugurated a Centre of Excellence in Phlebotomy (blood collection, sampling). This initiative will provide certified phlebotomy courses to healthcare professionals, laboratory technicians, assistants and nurses, and support them in driving best practices in preanalytical processes for accurate and reliable diagnosis.

Reportedly, BD will impart intensive training on fundamental principles of safe blood collection; specimen handling and sample preparation that will help develop the critical capacity of maintaining first-rate specimen quality and protect the safety of patients and medical staff. This new initiative also aims to strengthen laboratory services by improving the quality of patient specimens and reducing incidence of pre-analytical errors, thereby improving safety for both patients and healthcare workers.

“There are over 50,000 clinical laboratories in India and the number is increasing every year. Studies have indicated that nearly 68 per cent of all errors in laboratory testing are associated with the pre-analytical phase – phlebotomy (blood collection) being a major component of this phase. There is immense potential to enhance the skills of laboratory technicians in line with the growing healthcare needs of the Indian population. With this Centre of Excellence, BD will continue its commitment toward sharing knowledge and enhancing clinical practices in creating sustainable improvements in healthcare,” said Varun Khanna, MDi, BD – India.

“Speaking on the occasion, (Hon) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Chairman & MD, Dr Lal Path Labs said, “I am delighted to state that we introduced the BD manufactured Vacutainers for the first time in India in 1989. They have since then become an integral part of thousands of labs all over India and have added immensely to the high quality standards that prevail in our labs. This initiative to provide training for laboratory staff and clinicians will help in the long term for India’s healthcare.”