Page Contents:
- Georgia Tech Student Research Participants at Stamps
- Other Research Participants at Concentra
- All Research Participants in Research Labs
It is Georgia Institute of Technology IRB policy that human blood for research purposes shall not be collected by untrained faculty, staff or students, but shall be drawn by trained phlebotomists at Stamps Health Services (Student Health), at Concentra Health Services, or within the research laboratory by an IRB approved trained professional.
Any exception to this policy must have Institutional Review Board approval from the Office of Research Integrity Assurance. Some examples qualifying for an exception include (1) blood is drawn at another research site and shipped to Georgia Tech for research/analysis; (2) the drawing of blood by physician researchers; (3) blood drawn in a clinical setting by personnel trained and supervised by a physician such that the physician’s malpractice insurance covers the activity; and (4) having a trained phlebotomist on staff to perform blood draws within the research laboratory.
More information in regards to each specific blood donation scenario can be found in Appendix 11 of our Policies and Procedures.
Georgia Tech Student Research Participants at Stamps
SHS research phlebotomy services are available weekdays when the campus is open from 9:00-11:00am in 15-minute intervals. Call (404) 894-1424 at least one day in advance to schedule an appointment.
The Stamps Health Services (SHS) Laboratory provides professional phlebotomy services for Georgia Tech research activities. Researchers must have a current IRB-approved protocol in order to utilize these services, and blood donors must be enrolled students with Georgia Tech-issued identification.
The SHS laboratory will maintain a confidential log of donor information and eligibility to participate in the IRB approved study, date and time of phlebotomy, and blood volume drawn. The researcher will coordinate with laboratory personnel to complete and maintain the confidential log.
Other Research Participants at Concentra
To schedule blood draws, call Concentra Health Services at (404) 881-1155, preferably 48 hours in advance. Researchers are encouraged to schedule small groups of draws together.
Concentra Health Services provides professional phlebotomy services for research participants who are NOT enrolled Georgia Tech students. Located at 688 Spring Street, Concentra is the current Occupational Health Program medical provider for Georgia Tech.
All Research Participants in Research Labs
All research laboratories performing in-lab blood draws must comply with the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control.html.
All research laboratories handling human blood samples must adhere to Standard Precautions: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/standard-precautions.html.
In order for blood draws to be performed in the research laboratory, there are three options available:
- Hire a certified phlebotomist.
- Send employees to local phlebotomy certification training to support research phlebotomy needs.
- Research a certified phlebotomist to go and train the researcher at the research location. (An option might be for the Stamps Medical Technician to do the training).
All persons conducting phlebotomy must have currently valid Red Cross First Aid Certification or relevant professional education in managing adverse events associated with phlebotomy such as hematoma, hemorrhage, syncope, or nausea and Blood Borne Pathogen Training from EH&S. *Phlebotomy certification through ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), ASPT (American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians), NCA (National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel), or equivalent.