Phlebotomy Weekly Brief: May 27 – June 2, 2025
From groundbreaking treatment advancements reducing phlebotomy needs to crucial advocacy efforts impacting laboratory standards, here’s the most relevant phlebotomy industry news from the past week:
Breakthrough in Polycythemia Vera Treatment Reduces Phlebotomy Needs
New data from the Phase 3 VERIFY study, presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, has revealed significant clinical benefits of rusfertide for patients with phlebotomy-dependent polycythemia vera (PV). The study demonstrated a substantial reduction in the need for therapeutic phlebotomies, with the average number of procedures dropping to just 0.5 over 32 weeks in the rusfertide group, a marked decrease from 1.8 in the placebo arm. This investigational hepcidin mimetic peptide also showed improvements in hematocrit control and patient-reported outcomes, including fatigue. These promising results suggest rusfertide could emerge as a new standard of care, potentially altering the frequency and volume of phlebotomy procedures for PV patients.
Published: June 1, 2025
https://www.onclive.com/view/dr-kuykendall-on-clinical-benefit-with-rusfertide-in-phlebotomy-dependent-polycythemia-vera
Tools & Tips
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Explore the New BD MiniDraw Capillary Blood Collection System
The BD MiniDraw Capillary Blood Collection System is a cutting-edge device that enables accurate blood tests from just a few drops of capillary blood, collected via a finger prick. This innovative technology, a core component of Babson Diagnostics’ BetterWay™ service, offers a less invasive, patient-friendly alternative to traditional venipuncture. It also significantly expands access to testing by allowing trained healthcare workers, even those without extensive phlebotomy experience, to collect high-quality specimens in convenient settings like local pharmacies. This advancement helps overcome barriers to testing, including needle phobia and logistical challenges.
Studies Confirm: New Fingertip Blood Collection Device Has Equivalent Testing Accuracy of Higher-Volume Draws from Vein -
Enroll in Certified Phlebotomy Technician Training for Fall 2025 Empowering The Masses is currently accepting enrollments for its comprehensive Fall 2025 Phlebotomy Training program. This 12-week course is meticulously designed to equip individuals with in-demand skills, leading to national certification and essential workforce readiness. Classes are conveniently scheduled for in-person sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, commencing on September 9, 2025. This opportunity is ideal for both aspiring medical professionals eager to enter the phlebotomy field and existing healthcare workers aiming to achieve national certification and enhance their career prospects in this growing sector.
https://www.empoweringthemasses.org/post/2025-fall-phlebotomy-training
Fun Fact
Did you know that the iconic red, white, and blue barber’s pole has a surprising connection to the early days of phlebotomy? In medieval Europe, barbers were also “barber-surgeons” who performed medical procedures, including bloodletting. The red stripe on the pole symbolized the blood, the white represented the bandages used after the procedure, and the pole itself was a representation of the stick patients would grip to make their veins more prominent. This intriguing historical tidbit serves as a vivid reminder of how dramatically medical practices, and the specialized role of phlebotomists, have evolved from these ancient and less refined origins.
8 Surprising Phlebotomy Facts - PhlebotomyU Phlebotomy Training
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any Phlebotomy events or utilized new Phlebotomy tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.