A Brief--And Possibly Surprising--History of Phlebotomy

If you're a skilled medical professional, we don't have to explain to you the definition of the word phlebotomy. You might, however, be puzzled about the origins of the word. The old Greek words phleb for 'vein' and tomia for 'cutting' seem misleading now. After all, what does cutting have to do with the drawing of blood for diagnostic purposes?

Actually, cutting had plenty to do with very early phlebotomy techniques. Evidence shows that so-called “bloodletting” was practiced in ancient Egypt. Whether it began there or not, who knows, but the gory method that was thought to rid the body of practically any ailment was practiced in many cultures up to and including a nascent United States of America. All manner of small knives, lances, and glass suction cups were employed to remove “excess” blood from the unfortunate patient's body.

In December 1799, George Washington was one of those unlucky patients. George was suffering from a bothersome throat infection, the cure for which was -wait for it- bloodletting. After being relieved of more than nine pints of blood in fewer than 24 hours, the first US president up and died. After that, public opinion regarding the efficacy of bloodletting as a cure-all began to wane.

It's a very good thing that 21st century phlebotomy techniques have exponentially advanced since the “good old days.” The American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians is the second-oldest certifying agency of the field of Phlebotomy, and one of the only agencies that offers continuing phlebotomy education and advanced phlebotomy training.

Becoming a Quality Drug Collection Specialist

Become a Drug Collection Specialist!

Individuals who are hoping to pursue medical careers will want to have a general idea of which field they'd like to enter. A drug collection specialist, for example, will usually work in a laboratory setting. These specialists are dedicated to procuring and analyzing blood and urine samples to determine which drugs are currently present within the body. Specialists might also be involved with toxicology reports, which attempt to ascertain whether someone was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of death.

Aspiring drug collection specialists will want to immerse themselves in math and science at the earliest possible age. They should devote themselves to biology, chemistry, and physics in high school. Once they have reached college, they can begin taking courses in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and immunology. Students who dedicate themselves to medicine can eventually enroll in certification programs that will allow them to begin working in one of the prominent laboratories around the country. After they have passed a rigorous series of examinations, they will be licensed to work in the field.

The phlebotomy certification process is quite similar. Men and women who demonstrate their qualifications will be able to work at both large university hospitals and smaller clinics. With their medical knowledge, new technicians will be part of crucial procedures that will provide patients with the best possible care.