Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy

The Phlebotomy Service is committed to providing excellence in patient care – in partnership with other CHOP departments – by providing quality, timeliness and distinction in patient satisfaction. We treat everyone we serve with compassion and kindness. Furthermore, we support research, education and public service programs that enrich the quality of life for all children. 

The phlebotomy staff is composed of carefully trained individuals with extensive experience drawing blood from children of all ages, including infants and children with multiple medical needs whose veins may be small or difficult to access. Our staff strives to obtain specimens with the minimum discomfort and anxiety for the patient and family, and with the minimum volume of blood taken to perform the necessary tests.

Critical aspects of the quality of phlebotomy services are monitored carefully. These include accuracy in specimen labeling, accuracy in test ordering, and specimen integrity. Important aspects of customer service are also monitored, such as waiting time at outpatient stations.

Available services

Inpatient phlebotomy rounds

Teams of phlebotomists make five scheduled rounds each weekday and four on the weekend to collect blood samples for ordered tests for all inpatient locations, including intensive care. Morning rounds starting at 4:30 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends, followed by rounds starting at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Outpatient blood draw stations

  • We do not collect specimens for direct submission to Quest or LabCorp. 
  • If you would like to have your child’s blood collected by CHOP Phlebotomy (and you have Quest or LabCorp as your preferred lab), the Registration team can create a projected out-of-pocket cost analysis for testing done at CHOP versus your preferred lab.

1st Floor Buerger Building

  • Seven Outpatient Phlebotomy Chairs
  • One Research Phlebotomy Chair
  • Oral glucose tolerance testing available
Hours
  • Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    • Closed from 12:00-1:00 p.m. for lunch.

3rd Floor Buerger Building

  • Five phlebotomy chairs
  • Supports Oncology and Hematology
Hours
  • Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

3550 Market Street

  • Two phlebotomy chairs 
Hours
  • Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Closed from 12:00-1:00 p.m. for lunch.

Sweat Testing

Accredited as part of comprehensive Cystic Fibrosis Center

  • Gold Standard method - Pilocarpine iontophoresis
  • Dedicated chloride free facility and trained personnel
  • Collections analyzed daily on site for rapid results
  • Forty years of experience with this test
  • Almost 1,000 tests performed per year

Instructions for ordering and preparing for a sweat test.

3rd Floor Main Building

By appointment only

  • To schedule an appointment use self-service scheduling through MyCHOP or call our Client Services team at 215-590-2277
  • 2 sweat collection rooms
Hours
  • Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Oral Glucose tolerance test

Available on a limited basis for Endocrinology patients.

Specimen Collection Procedures

We perform the following specimen collection procedures:

  • Confirmation and documentation of fasting status 
  • Timed specimens can usually be accommodated 
  • Capillary blood collection 
    • Heel sticks limited to infants 
    • Finger pricks 
  • Urine specimens – clean catch, not by catheter 
  • Sweat tests 
  • Specimen collection for outside laboratories 
  • Specimen collection for approved research protocols
  • Oral Glucose Tests ordered by CHOP providers 

Services that we do not provide

  • Accessing or drawing from ports, in-dwelling catheters or lines, PICC lines, dialysis catheters or fistulas 
  • Placement of, or drawing blood from, peripheral IVs 
  • Arterial sticks 
  • Paternity testing
  • Paternity testing 
  • Specimens for forensic testing or legal evidence
  • Collection of specimens other than blood, urine and sweat 
  • Acceptance or recording of specimens obtained at home or from other facilities
blood draws

Prepare your child for a blood draw

This child-friendly learning resource can help prepare your child for getting a blood draw. Learn what a blood draw is and how you can support your child before, during and after.