HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology

collection
Student Assessment

ASSESSMENT TASK 3 PROJECT

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I have read and understand unit information and assessment instruction

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required to demonstrate foundation skills, so please ensure to proofread your
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the unit will be deemed Not Yet Satisfactory, and you must re-enroll and repeat the
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policy and students who are found guilty of plagiarism, will be penalised.
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procedure apply to this assessment task.

Explanation of the List/identify/state/give = present in brief form

common Outline= give the main facts about something, more than naming, but not a
command words detailed description
used in the Describe = Give full details of characteristics and/or features, more needed
Assessment Task than an outline or than a list
Explain/Discuss = Give reasonable argument to discuss cause and effect
and/or make links between things clear in your own words
Analyse = Identify parts, the relationship between them, and their relationships with
the whole. Draw out and relate implications
Demonstrate = Present, show or illustrate through example or action

Assessment You will be provided with a briefing on the assessment and the opportunity to seek

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 1 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
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Student Assessment

Procedure clarification on the conduct of the assessment.

You may seek clarification at any point in time during the assessment task. If you
feel you need more time to complete the assessment, you must negotiate the time
needed with the assessor prior to the assessment due date.
Following the assessment, your responses are to be assessed and marked as
appropriate. Where responses have been assessed in one (1) or more questions as
unsatisfactory, students will be required to resubmit these questions. For more
information, detailed information can be found in PP77 Assessment Policy and
Procedure
Due Date 14 days after the unit completion date as outlined in the PP77 Assessment Policy
and Procedure.

Instructions:
You are required to undertake research on one of the following clinical risks. The topic for each
student will be allocated by the trainer / assessor.
o Haemoconcentration
o Haemolysis
o Needle stick injury (collector)
o Excessive bleeding at puncture site post collection
o Damage to median nerve
o Vascular damage (patient veins damaged and scarred)
o Infection
o Fainting
o Location of venous access
o Concurrent treatments and therapy
o Intravenous (IV) therapy
During research you are required to find the following information.
o Explanation of the clinical risk
o Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred
o If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
o Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising
o Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures
Once information has been gathered, you are required to prepare a Clinical Risk Fact
Sheet (200 - 400 words) discussing the points identified above.

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
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 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
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Student Assessment

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Haemoconcentration

Explanation of the clinical risk:

A hemoconcentration is a blood concentration that is excessively high. When the number of cells and other bigger materials in the blood
grows to the point where it no longer reflects the patient's true health situation, the blood gets concentrated, or thickens.

The blood circulating throughout the now-standing body becomes hemoconcentrated almost immediately. Because the body perceives the
circulatory excess caused by a rise in blood pressure, the capillaries become porous, allowing water and smaller molecules to enter the
tissue.
Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:
Haemoconcentration can be induced internally as a function of the body’s natural physiology, or externally by specimen collection
personnel

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a phlebotomist

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

 Applying the tourniquet too tightly or leaving it on for too long causes the blood to become haemoconcentrated below the
constriction
 Changes to the blood below the tourniquet occur within one minute
 The tourniquet should be removed and the blood in the limb be allowed to return to its basal state for two minutes before
continuing the collection
 To facilitate relocation once the tourniquet is reapplied, the phlebotomist can note locators such as moles, freckles, or contours of
the skin as guideposts prior to inserting the needle so vein location and access can occur within one minute
Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
 phlebotomists should discourage patients from pumping their fist, and inform them that it can alter their test results
 Educating the patient in this manner may help prevent it from happening in the future
 Fist pumping prior to collecting blood for clinical testing can dramatically change the patient’s test results

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Haemolysis

Explanation of the clinical risk:

The disintegration of red blood cells is known as hemolysis. Hemolysis is a condition in which hemoglobin is released into the
bloodstream due to a variety of factors.

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

 Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
 Yellowish skin, eyes, and mouth (jaundice)
 Dark-colored urine
 Fever
 Weakness
 Dizziness
 Confusion

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 3 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
collection
Student Assessment

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report the incident to a doctor or a phlebotomist

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

 Redraw the specimen
 The most common sites to draw from are the median cubital, basalic, and cephalic veins from the antecubital region of the arm
 The choice of the needle gauge size is dependent on the patient’s physical characteristics and the amount of blood to be drawn.
The most commonly used sizes are 19 through
 Avoid using a needle that is too small or too large
 The tourniquet should be released after no more than one minute, and excessive fist clenching should be avoided
Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
Medication, blood transfusions (where you receive blood from another person), or a bone marrow transplant (where you receive stem cells
from a donor) are all options.

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Needle stick injury (collector)

Explanation of the clinical risk:

Needlestick injuries are wounds caused by needles puncturing the skin by mistake.

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles.

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or an Occupational health and safety officer
Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:
 Wash the wound with soap and water.
 If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based hand rubs or solutions.
 If you are at work, notify your supervisor or occupational health and safety officer - you will need to fill out an accident report
form.
 Go straight to your doctor, or to the nearest hospital emergency department
Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
 Health workers who may come in contact with blood or body fluids should receive hepatitis B vaccinations.
 Follow all safety procedures in the workplace.
 Place used needles into a clearly labelled and puncture-proof sharps approved container.
 Wash the injury immediately with cold running water.
 Promote bleeding.
 Apply antiseptic solution to injury.
 Dress the wound.

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 4 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
collection
Student Assessment

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Excessive bleeding at puncture site post collection

Explanation of the clinical risk:

It is when puncturing is done wrong and has created a damage to the puncture site during post collection

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

- Excessive bleeding
- Hematoma

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner
Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:
 Take blood from the other side / arm.
 unaffected arm will usually have an intravenous line and evidence of previous attempts of blood taking

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
- Remove the needle and apply direct forceful pressure to the puncture site for a minimum of 5 minutes until active bleeding has
ceased
- The nursing staff and physician must be notified and
- the incident documented according to institutional policy

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Damage to median nerve

Explanation of the clinical risk:

The median nerve is usually damaged at either the elbow, due to a fracture of the humerus bone of the upper arm, or the wrist, due to either
carpal tunnel syndrome or a wrist laceration or gashing

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

 Compression on the nerve can cause pain
 a tingling sensation in your fingers
 numbness and weakness in the hand.

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner
Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:
the first line of treatment is to address the initial injury. Soft tissue injury can be treated with compression, applying ice, and keeping the arm
elevated

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 5 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
collection
Student Assessment

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
it is important to see a hand surgeon if symptoms are severe or if they are less severe but have been present for more than six weeks

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Vascular damage (patient veins damaged and
scarred)
Explanation of the clinical risk:
A blood vessel has been injured, which is referred to as vascular trauma. Injuries involved a tear or puncture that causes blood loss other
times they cause damage to the vessel from crushing or twisting.

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

 Numbness
 Weakness
 pain
If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

Collections of blood are drained by making a small hole in the nail in order to relieve the pressure and provide pain relief. More serious
injuries may be treated with surgery and/or need splinting.

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
- should seek the help of doctor and professional immediately

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Infection

Explanation of the clinical risk:

Germ invasion and proliferation in the human body. Bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and other microbes are examples of germs. Infections
can start anywhere in the body and spread throughout the entire body. Depending on where an infection arises in the body, it might cause
fever and other health concerns.

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

 Fever (this is sometimes the only sign of an infection).
 Chills and sweats.
 Change in cough or a new cough.
 Sore throat or new mouth sore.
 Shortness of breath.
 Nasal congestion.
If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 6 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
collection
Student Assessment

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

 Use clean bandages and dressings.
 Clean wounds and try not to get dirt into them.
 Wash off any body fluids immediately. If you are accidentally cut and there is blood\
 wash the cut immediately with running water, cover the wound

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
 Dispose of gloves, blood soaked bandages and pads properly.
 Wash facemasks and any contaminated equipment in bleach. Soak them in the bleach solution for a minimum of 30 minutes.
 Wash hands thoroughly.
 Wash blood off any clothes or surfaces with bleach.

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Fainting

Explanation of the clinical risk:

A short period of unconsciousness caused by a decrease in blood pressure is known as fainting. A shift in
the blood vessels or the heartbeat itself is the most likely reason of this precipitous decline. Blood arteries
adjust their width on a regular basis to maintain a consistent blood pressure. When we stand up, for
example, the vessels constrict to fight the effects of gravity. Various situations that cause blood vessels to
dilate, such as excessive heat, mental discomfort, or pain, can produce temporary low blood pressure.
Loss of awareness is caused by a shortage of blood to the brain.
Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:
Patients who pass out while seated in the procedure chair will alert you to the fact that they are ill. They
may complain of feeling faint, appear pale, and begin to sweat; they may slump back in their chair or fall
forward. Some symptoms of fainting includes: perspiration, nausea, collapse, heightened anxiety and
restlessness.
If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
If necessary, seek assistance from a doctor or a medical practitioner; the patient should feel better in
within 3-5 minutes. Call ambulance if they are not getting better.
Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:
Stop the venepuncture and take off the tourniquet and needle and encourage the patient to sit with their
legs elevated or, if necessary, assist them to the floor in a supine posture. Start first aid procedures.
Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:
Assist the person in lying down. A person who has passed out while sitting in a chair should be assisted to the
ground, roll the person on their side if they are unconscious. Make sure they're breathing and have a pulse, elevate
the person's feet above the height of their head if possible, remove or loosen clothing if the fainting episode was
caused by heat, and try to cool the person down by wiping them with a wet cloth or fanning them. If the person
has fallen, check for any potential injuries.

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 7 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
collection
Student Assessment

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Location of venous access

Explanation of the clinical risk:

When a phlebotomist chooses to ignore the rules of site selection for venepuncture, he/she runs the risk of causing harm to their patients

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
Seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

- Scarred areas- it is difficult to visualise and palpate veins, and puncture the scar tissu
- Drawing from an intravenous line may avoid a difficult venepuncture, but introduces problems. The line must be flushed first.
When using a syringe inserted into the line, blood must be withdrawn slowly to avoid haemolysis
- Arm in which blood is being transfused- chance of withdrawing transfused blood and not patients bloo

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Concurrent treatments and therapy

Explanation of the clinical risk:

Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 8 of 35 RTO Number 121952
 HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology
collection
Student Assessment

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:

Clinical Risk Fact Sheet - Intravenous (IV) therapy

Explanation of the clinical risk:

IV treatment is a means of administering fluids and medications. The term "intravenous" refers to a treatment that
is delivered through the veins. An IV drip or injection into a vein delivers the fluid containing vitamins and
minerals or medication, allowing the therapy to travel quickly through your system.
Indicators that the risk has eventuated / occurred:

If the clinical risk became too high, who could you report it to?
seek assistance and report it to a doctor or a medical practitioner

Strategies and tips to help prevent risk arising:

 Turn off the IV for at least 2 minutes before venipuncture
 Apply the tourniquet below the IV site.
 Perform the venipuncture and draw 5ml of blood

Strategies to address the situation when risk arises including first aid procedures:

HLT37215 Certificate III in Pathology Collection

CRICOS Provider Code 02934D
HLTPAT001 Identify and respond to clinical risks in pathology collection
Student Assessment - Version 4.0 Sep 2021
Page 9 of 35 RTO Number 121952