Who is primarily responsible for minimum fill requirements of blood collection tubes?

The phlebotomist is primarily responsible for meeting the minimum fill requirements of blood collection tubes because they are the professionals who directly perform blood draws. When collecting blood samples, the phlebotomist must ensure that each tube is filled to the appropriate level. This is crucial, as an insufficient volume can affect the accuracy of laboratory test results and potentially lead to inaccurate diagnoses or treatment plans. Proper training in phlebotomy equips the phlebotomist with knowledge about the significance of the minimum fill lines marked on collection tubes and the specific requirements for various tests.

While other roles, such as the laboratory technician, may later handle the samples, their responsibilities focus on analysis and processing rather than the collection itself. The quality control officer is tasked with overseeing standards and procedures but does not collect blood. The physician, although responsible for ordering tests and interpreting results, relies on the phlebotomist to ensure that samples are collected correctly and adequately filled. Therefore, it is the phlebotomist's direct involvement in the blood collection process that makes them the key figure in adhering to minimum fill requirements.