Lab collection for POCT on floor

In our pediatric facilities, nurses collect their own samples for bedside testing.

There are many variables here! Are the nurses asking phlebotomists to perform the testing or simply collect?  Are the phlebs handing off a labeled tube to someone in another area or does the sample never leave the patient room? If the phlebs are not on the floor collecting when bedside testing is needed, do the nurses then collect themselves? What if the sample is determined to be clotted or compromised after the phlebs leave the floor?

Without being overly familiar with the situation, it sounds like there may be potential for pre-analytical errors such as patient/sample ID. This also sounds like a procedural nightmare. How would you clearly determine and state which situations warrant phlebotomist collection and hand-off and simply nurse collection if they are asking for "when the phlebotomists happen to be on the floor..."  

This is an interesting question! I am eager to read other opinions!

Great questions. 

The nurses ask the phlebotomist to collect extra syringes (No label) or take "leftover" sample from the collecting device, not asking them to run the samples because phlebotomists are not competent to perform those tests without their competencies. After handoff the specimen, we are not certain when and how they are going to perform the test. When the phlebs are not on the floor, they will wait until they come by. Nothing can ensure the sample integrity. 

Those are the concerns I brought up too, but this process has been going on for years, got a lot of pushbacks when I told them no.

I see. That would make me extremely uncomfortable!!  Also, an IQCP nightmare for iSTATs. If the nurses can simply wait until the next phlebotomist happens to come by...do they really need bedside testing?

See if the following can help with at least part of your argument:
COM.06100/Gen.40491 - Primary Specimen Container Labeling
COM.06200 - Secondary Specimen Container Labeling
COM.06250 - Specimen Aliquoting and Shared/Residual Samples

Kayla brings up some very valid concerns.  I would also add:  What type of specimens are the phlebotomists being asked to draw?  Arterial sticks are "out of scope" for phlebotomists here.   ISTATs perform ABG testing....