Phlebotomy Guide
Tourniquets
Use disposable tourniquets whenever possible – 1 per patient
Calcium samples:
- Avoid using tourniquets whenever possible as they can elevate the calcium levels in the samples.
- If a tourniquet has to be used to find the vein, use minimal pressure and release it as soon as possible.
- If request mentions "Repeat calcium", PTH or Vitamin-D, always try to avoid the use of tourniquets (PTH and VitD automatically include calcium tests).