[Joint EFLM-COLABIOCLI recommendation for venous blood sampling]

Venous blood sampling is a routine medical procedure, yet variations in practice can affect diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. Prior research has shown that inconsistent collection methods may lead to sample contamination or hemolysis. However, no prior work had resolved how to standardize these procedures across regions. This gap motivated the development of a unified guideline. The existing literature suggests that closed systems reduce contamination risks. Still, no prior work had resolved how to implement these systems widely. That uncertainty drove the need for a joint recommendation. Healthcare professionals often face barriers like equipment shortages or training gaps. No prior work had resolved how to address these systematically. This gap motivated the collaboration between EFLM and COLABIOCLI. The goal was to synthesize global evidence into a practical framework.

The aim of this joint recommendation is to standardize venous blood sampling practices. It addresses the need for a unified approach to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. The specific problem is the variability in blood collection methods across Europe and Latin America. This variability may lead to inconsistent test results and increased risk of errors. The motivation is to provide clear, evidence-based guidance for healthcare workers. The document focuses on closed blood collection systems and excludes open needle methods. It does not address consent or pediatric sampling, as those are outside its scope. The goal is to improve implementation through practical recommendations.

The recommendation was developed through a collaborative process involving stakeholders from EFLM and COLABIOCLI. A closed blood collection system was chosen as the focus, excluding open needle and syringe methods. The process included face-to-face meetings to grade evidence quality and recommendation strength. Each step was evaluated using a scoring system to ensure transparency. A first draft was circulated for public consultation among EFLM members. Feedback from WG-PRE-LATAM was also incorporated into the revised version. The document outlines four main sections: pre-sampling, sampling, post-sampling, and implementation. The final version was endorsed by a majority of members from both organizations.

The recommendation includes four main sections: pre-sampling, sampling, post-sampling, and implementation. It provides practical guidance on overcoming barriers to adoption of closed systems. The document excludes open needle and syringe methods, focusing only on closed systems. It does not address patient consent or pediatric sampling. The grading system was applied to each step to ensure evidence quality and recommendation strength. A revised version was endorsed by 33 out of 40 EFLM members and all 21 COLABIOCLI members. The process involved multiple meetings with a consistent group of stakeholders. The final document encourages adoption to improve diagnostic accuracy and safety.

The authors propose that adopting this recommendation can enhance blood collection practices. They suggest that standardized procedures may reduce contamination and improve diagnostic accuracy. The document does not claim that closed systems are the only solution but proposes them as a best practice. The endorsement by a majority of members indicates strong support for the framework. The authors suggest that implementation may increase patient and worker safety. They propose that healthcare professionals should follow the outlined procedures. The document does not claim to resolve all preanalytical issues but suggests it as a step forward. The authors encourage adoption in Europe and Latin America to improve consistency in blood sampling.