1677 Integrating Venepuncture Training Within the Curriculum for Oral and Maxillofacial Dental Core Trainees Within A Hospital in South Wales, UK

Aim The aim of this quality improvement project was to provide a solution to improve the confidence and skill of Oral and Maxillofacial Dental Core Trainees (DCTs) in venepuncture by attending phlebotomy training sessions. DCTs within the hospital where this project was undertaken are dentally qualified and are often not taught the principles of venepuncture during their undergraduate degree. Furthermore, they rarely gain hands-on experience to confidently apply these skills. Method Phlebotomy training sessions were held, each an hour and a half long and were completed within the first 4 weeks of the DCTs starting their job. A survey was completed by each of the DCTs prior to the training. The sessions consisted of a short introduction to phlebotomy and the different techniques, observing a phlebotomist taking blood, and then performing venepuncture on live patients attending the clinic who required blood investigations. The Vacutainer eclipse single needle was used with the single-use holder. Following the training, the DCTs completed a second survey. Results The mean confidence of the DCTs increased from 2.7 to 8.2 out of 10 following the phlebotomy training. 100% of the DCTs rated the quality of the workshop 10 out of 10, with 10 being excellent. The sessions had minimal disruption to the running of the phlebotomy and maxillofacial clinics. Conclusions This quality improvement project will have an overall benefit firstly to patients and also to the Health Board. The success of this programme lead to its permanent implementation within the curriculum for or each intake of new DCTs.