Stamps Health Services Laboratory Research Phlebotomy Protocol

The Stamps Health Services (SHS) Laboratory provides professional phlebotomy services in support of research activities at Georgia Tech.  Researchers must have a current Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol in order to utilize these services, and blood donors must be enrolled students with Georgia Tech-issued identification.

Scheduling:

• On weekdays when the campus is open, the Stamps Health Services Laboratory offers phlebotomy services for research purposes at 15 minute intervals beginning at 9AM and ending no later than 11AM.

• Time blocks must be reserved no later than the day before the anticipated draw(s).  A 2-3 day advance notice is preferable.  Call 404.894.1424 to schedule a phlebotomy appointment.

• The pre-scheduled 15 minute block is utilized for one donor only; two donors require two 15 minute blocks, and so on.  All time blocks are scheduled on a first call basis; no double booking is allowed.

• In the event that a scheduled phlebotomy is delayed by the researcher by more than 10 minutes, it will be the responsibility of the researcher to reschedule the draw if the following time slots are full.

Authorized Donors: 

• Donors must be accompanied to the SHS Laboratory by a member of the research team named in the IRB protocol.

• All donors must be currently active Georgia Tech students.  Students must present GT-issued identification.

•   Donors must complete a routine Stamps Health Services “Consent to Treat” form, providing their last name, first name, and middle initial and GT ID#.

• Donors must also bring a copy of their signed, IRB-approved and date-stamped consent form.  (In cases where a waiver of documentation of consent has been approved, students will not be required to put their names on the IRB consent document.  Such waivers will be indicated in the letter of IRB approval).

Responsibilities of the Researcher Requesting Phlebotomy Services:

• When setting up blood draws for a new IRB protocol, the researcher, research assistant, or designated representative (“researcher”) must provide the Stamps Health Services laboratory with copies of the IRB letter of approval and the IRB-approved and date-stamped consent form.
  • Consent forms must list exclusionary criteria, such as:
    • Current pregnancy
    • History of immunodeficiency or HIV infection
    • History of allergy to latex
    • Blood donation of 500 ml. of whole blood during the immediate past
      8 week period
    • Weight less than 15 kg regardless of age
    • Suspected anemia

• A copy of the donor’s signed consent form must be presented to the Stamps Health Services Laboratory personnel at the blood draw appointment.

• The researcher named in the IRB protocol must accompany donors to the SHS Laboratory.

• The researcher must provide the necessary supplies for each draw (phlebotomy) including, but not limited to, 21ga butterfly needle or at minimum, a 23ga butterfly needle with attached adapter for syringes, syringes, anti-coagulant, and Georgia Tech Environmental Health & Safety-approved transport carrier.

• It is the responsibility of the researcher to adequately prepare the syringes and/or tubes for use.

• It is the responsibility of the researcher to receive from the Stamps Health Services Technologist the filled syringe and/or tube and to transfer the collected sample into the appropriate vial.

• It is the responsibility of the researcher to adequately store, label, designate and transport the filled syringe and/or tube from Stamps Health Services laboratory phlebotomy area to the research facility in an approved container.

• It is the responsibility of the researcher to track volume drawn from each donor to prevent excessive sampling from the same donor within an 8 week period.  No more than 500 ml. of whole blood can be obtained from any donor during an 8 week period.

• The Stamps Health Services Laboratory will maintain a confidential log of donor information and eligibility to participate in the IRB approved study, date and time of phlebotomy, and blood volume drawn.  The researcher will coordinate with Stamps Health Services Laboratory personnel to complete and maintain the confidential log.

Student Health Services patients are the first priority at Stamps Health Services.  On occasion, their health needs may take precedence over a scheduled research phlebotomy.  

 In this case, no time penalty will be incurred and every effort will be made with available personnel to accommodate all.

Feb 10, 2009