| Summary: | Background : Venesection or phlebotomy is generally considered to be a safe method, but occasionally adverse effects of varying severity may occur during or at the end of the procedure.
Objectives : The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency and type of adverse events occurring during venesection and to assess the practices which would help to minimize them.
Materials and methods : This is prospective single-center study was conducted from October 2011 to November 2012 at the emergency unit of the national center of hematology in Baghdad. All phlebotomies procedures made at the center were analyzed. All adverse events occurring during or at the end of procedure were registered by using a standardized questionnaire.
Results : Overall 3 adverse events were reported in relation to 960 venesections done, resulting in an overall adverse event rate of 0.3125%, that is, an incidence of 1 in every 320 venesections. One adverse effect was presyncopal symptoms of mild intensity, and the other two that observed were extravasation at site of puncture.
Conclusions : Only 0.3% of phlebotomies were complicated by adverse events which were very mild and easily managed. Our study confirms the fact that venesection procedure is a very safe method which could be made even more event-free by following certain friendly, reassuring and competent practices.
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