What are the different size considerations when selecting phlebotomy chairs?
There are several different size options in blood drawing chairs. For larger adult patients bariatric chairs are available that have a wider and longer seat and backrest area as well as additional support throughout the frame. Tall and extra-tall options comfortably seat even the tallest patient and also place the armrest higher off the ground on the frame, allowing the phlebotomist to be able to draw blood without having to stoop over.

Standard sized chairs can accommodate most average adults and teens. With a booster cushion for the seat they are also a good option for older children. For very young infants a specialized table style of phlebotomy station is the safest option for the child and the technician. Individuals that are non-ambulatory can be easily accommodated for blood tests using a wheelchair friendly station. This mounts to the wall and slides up and down for positioning based on the chair height and chair arm height.

What features in phlebotomy chairs make a technician's work easier?
A height adjustment option for the armrest is one feature that can certainly make a day working in the lab or medical facility much less tiring. Most adjustment systems are a simple locking mechanism that allows the armrest to move up and down to the correct height. For complete control over height of the entire chair hydraulic or lift blood drawing chairs provide the most flexibility. These are ideal for busy facilities where multiple phlebotomists may use the same testing station throughout the day.
The type of material that phlebotomy chairs are constructed of also can save time in disinfecting the chairs between patients and as needed. Molded plastic, seamless upholstery or a combination of both are good choices. Frames that are metal are likewise easy to care for and very durable.

Adding a cabinet or a drawer to the armrest is helpful to store small supplies such as cause, sterilizing pads, tape, bandages and additional syringes. Cabinets tend to be deeper and have a larger capacity than the slimmer drawers. Most of these also provide an additional solid worktop for writing labels and updating notes.

Many models of phlebotomy chairs are designed to allow an IV pole to be quickly and easily attached to the frame. These models may be found in laboratory and medical settings and can extend the use of the chair based on your specific needs.

Is a pivot or a flip arm the best option in phlebotomy chairs?
Blood drawing chairs can have either a flip arm or a pivot arm. A flip arm moves up and down or flips up and down to allow the patient easy movement in and out of the seat. When the patient is seated the arm is flipped down, providing the solid support needed. A pivot arm rotates out and in based on the same usage pattern. Pivot arms require a bit more room to each side but the difference is minimal on most chairs.

As with most medical equipment the different styles offered are largely a personal preference. Often padded or upholstered arms are more likely to pivot while solid surface arms are more commonly designed to flip. There are some models that offer an armrest for the arm that is not being used for the blood draw. This can add to the patient's comfort level and may make getting in and out of the seat easier for patients with mobility problems. The surface area of the armrest needs to be seamless if upholstered and made of a material that will be easy to sterilize using standard cleaning equipment.

What are the advantages in molded plastic or upholstered blood drawing chairs?Both molded plastic and upholstered styles are good options for phlebotomy chairs for a busy facility. Molded plastic chairs tend to be easily to clean and slightly longer lasting since they do not have the softer surface area that can be cut, scratched or scuffed with wear. However, the upholstered models are more comfortable, an important consideration for patients. Both types of construction are designed to resist any type of contamination, mold and mildew. Seamless designed prohibit liquids from entering into the chair fabric even on the upholstered options. Surfaces can be sprayed with disinfectant and wiped down between each patient.

The frames of both types of chairs are typically made of metal tubing. This is sturdy, strong and is very resistant to wear. With specialized coating on the metal there is no concern with rust or corrosion. Armrests, backrests and work areas on the arm of the chair should also be made of a water resistant surface that is easy to clean and fast drying.

2. What is the correct positioning of blood drawing chairs in the laboratory or phlebotomy room?Patients that are in the laboratory or phlebotomy room need to have personal space as do the staff working with the patients. Depending on the style of equipment that you have the blood drawing chairs should be placed with enough room for staff to walk between the chairs and work on either side of the patient to draw blood. This typically means at least four feet between stations to avoid staff bumping into each other. In addition patients tend to feel more comfortable and relaxed if they do not feel crowded or cramped into an area.

Besides the phlebotomy chairs a working area needs to be in place. This can be a station between each set of chairs that includes a workspace, storage area for phlebotomy and lab supplies, a Sharps container for used syringes and sample holders and writing supplies. When blood drawing chairs do not have cabinets or drawers under the armrest additional storage areas for gauze, alcohol pads, lancets, collection tubes and tape should also be within easy reach of each phlebotomist. Typically there will also be a need for basic medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and other necessary equipment.

3. Is there a cost benefit to electric blood drawing chairs?
Having electric or power lift types of phlebotomy chairs in a lab or medical facility offers several advantages. Staff can quickly and easily adjust the height for their comfort when drawing blood without any discomfort to the patient. Patients are not required to step up into the equipment as they would with a tall or extra-tall chair option. This is often a major consideration for patients with mobility concerns, including senior citizens that may find stepping up into the chair as well as down out of the chair intimidating. Armrests on these models will usually flip up and sit parallel to the backrest, allowing patients maximum ability to enter the chair from the front or sides.

Another feature of the electric model is that it can be placed in the reclining position for extended comfort and safety. Patients that are undergoing a longer procedure such as donating blood or having a blood transfusion can relax rather than having to sit in the traditional upright position. Fainting and dizziness can also be accommodated by tilting the chair to a comfortable reclined setting.

These chairs are controlled using either a hand held keypad or a foot control. This allows smooth and fluid movement of the chair for raising, lowering and reclinin

What are the advantages in molded plastic or upholstered blood drawing chairs?

Both molded plastic and upholstered styles are good options for blood drawing chairs for a busy facility. Molded plastic chairs tend to be easily to clean and slightly longer lasting since they do not have the softer surface area that can be cut, scratched or scuffed with wear. However, the upholstered models are more comfortable, an important consideration for patients. Both types of construction are designed to resist any type of contamination, mold and mildew. Seamless designed prohibit liquids from entering into the chair fabric even on the upholstered options. Surfaces can be sprayed with disinfectant and wiped down between each patient.

The frames of both types of chairs are typically made of metal tubing. This is sturdy, strong and is very resistant to wear. With specialized coating on the metal there is no concern with rust or corrosion. Armrests, backrests and work areas on the arm of the chair should also be made of a water resistant surface that is easy to clean and fast drying.

What is the correct positioning of blood drawing chairs in the laboratory or phlebotomy room?
Patients that are in the laboratory or phlebotomy room need to have personal space as do the staff working with the patients. Depending on the style of equipment that you have the blood drawing chairs should be placed with enough room for staff to walk between the chairs and work on either side of the patient to draw blood. This typically means at least four feet between stations to avoid staff bumping into each other. In addition patients tend to feel more comfortable and relaxed if they do not feel crowded or cramped into an area.

Besides the phlebotomy chairs a working area needs to be in place. This can be a station between each set of chairs that includes a workspace, storage area for phlebotomy and lab supplies, a Sharps container for used syringes and sample holders and writing supplies. When blood drawing chairs do not have cabinets or drawers under the armrest additional storage areas for gauze, alcohol pads, lancets, collection tubes and tape should also be within easy reach of each phlebotomist. Typically there will also be a need for basic medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes and other necessary equipment.

Is there a cost benefit to electric blood drawing chairs?

Having electric or power lift types of phlebotomy chairs in a lab or medical facility offers several advantages. Staff can quickly and easily adjust the height for their comfort when drawing blood without any discomfort to the patient. Patients are not required to step up into the equipment as they would with a tall or extra-tall chair option. This is often a major consideration for patients with mobility concerns, including senior citizens that may find stepping up into the chair as well as down out of the chair intimidating. Armrests on these models will usually flip up and sit parallel to the backrest, allowing patients maximum ability to enter the chair from the front or sides.

Another feature of the electric model is that it can be placed in the reclining position for extended comfort and safety. Patients that are undergoing a longer procedure such as donating blood or having a blood transfusion can relax rather than having to sit in the traditional upright position. Fainting and dizziness can also be accommodated by tilting the chair to a comfortable reclined setting.

These chairs are controlled using either a hand held keypad or a foot control. This allows smooth and fluid movement of the chair for raising, lowering and reclining.