Unboxing the arm is quite easy. Open and unpack the following items:
the phlebotomy simulation training arm, one of the two reservoir containers with tubes attached, small packet of connectors
(also used as lumen stoppers), syringe with needle and / or scalp needle and the various
metal parts used to assemble the stand. The following are extra items that will be required
and are not included in the box: paper towels, a large plastic container, a smaller plastic container.
IV practice arm setup instructions
1. Remove the plastic covers from the arm and other items and gather on a work surface.
2. Place a protective cover or paper towels on the work surface.
3. Assemble the stand by removing the nut and washer and connecting the stand to the
base or foot piece, tighten the nut firmly by hand.
4. Some stand models have suction cups that fit into the stands foot piece. Place the cups as indicated.
5. Secure the extension part of the stand unextended.
6. Fill a container with water or saline and red food colorant and stir a bit.
7. Proceed with assembling the reservoir container.
8. If not preassembled, attach the handle of the container by pushing it over the two
plastic posts on the container lid. It is a good idea to secure with some glue as to
prevent the handle accidentally slipping off. The reservoir container has a lid with an
inflow tube for connecting an IV bag if one would wish to do so. This is neither essential
nor necessary. An IV bag is not supplied in the box.
9. For now close this inflow roller clamp. The container has an outflow tube connected
at the bottom. We will be referring exclusively to the outflow tube in the balance of the
instructions. Close the outflow tube roller clamp.
10. Open the lid of the reservoir container and fill the container about 2/3 or 3/4 with regular water, colored water or saline.
11. Cover the lid securely. If the lid is
not secured proberly it may slip off unexpectedly during a practice session, and cause a great mess.
12. Suspend the reservoir container to the cross-arm of the stand.
13. Press the drip chamber once or twice.
14. Open the outflow roller clamp and allow the fluid and all air bubbles to flow out
of the tube and into the small container. Once all the air bubbles are out, close the roller clamp again.
15. The arms latex tubes have clipped clamps. Ensure that both are open at this stage.
16. Attach a connector to the outflow tube
of the reservoir container and attach this connector to one of the arms latex tubes.
18. At this stage the outflow tube roller clamp is closed and both arm tubes clip clamps are open.
19. Place the small plastic container under
the other arm tube and open the roller clamp allowing the fluid to run through the arm tubes.
20. Once the fluid is pouring into the small
container, close the clip clamp at the exit site of the arms tube. Important note: both
the outflow roller clamp as well as the clamp on the tube with a connector should be in
the open position, while the clip clamp at the exit side of the arm should be in the
closed position for all phlebotomy practice procedures. The arm is now ready for performing
phlebotomy simulation procedures! Have fun!
At the end of the training practice session:
1. Close the roller clamp and move to a basin, open all clamps and allow the fluid to drain
into the basin. Flush the container and tubes with water and allow to drain and dry.
2. Replace the arm and all items into the box.
1. There are veins at the dorsum of the hand and the ventral surface of the arm, the basilic
and the cephalic veins. Vary the phlebotomy puncture veins in areas. Do not overuse one specific area.
2. Use smaller diameter rather than bigger
diameter needles to practice. A 21 g or 22 g needle will be better compared to an 18 g needle for instance.
3. Venous pressure is quite low and rarely
exceeds 20 millimetres of mercury. To mimic this low pressure do not put the reservoir
container too high above the arm. 3 to 6 inches, 8 to 15 centimetres, is quite sufficient. This
will also minimize the tendency of the tubes leaking.
4. The latex tubes tend to reseal after a needle stick. After a fair amount of use the
arm will start leaking, initially very slightly though. Allow the arm a disuse period of 2
to 3 weeks before using it again to allow the latex tubes to reseal.
5. After extensive use - like all phlebotomy training arms - the arm will start leaking.
The Apprentice Doctor phlebotomy arms are favourably priced, thus we do not supply replacement
skins and tubes. We recommend replacing the old arm with a new one.
6. Do not discard the old arm! It makes for an amazing tool for students to practice and
perfect their suturing skills.
The Apprentice Doctor Venipuncture Course and Kit complements The Apprentice Doctor
phlebotomy training arm to perfection. This is a remarkable course in phlebotomy and IV
techniques with lots of items for practising those skills. Visit www.theapprenticedoctor.com/shop
for more information or to order. Academic in bulk order discounts may apply.