Aim: For laboratory analyses ordered by the physicians, different types and high amounts of blood samples are collected. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of blood loss with phlebotomy, and its effect on the Hb levels of the inward patients.

Materials And Methods: This study enrolled 101 non-bleeding adult patients, admitted to the internal medicine and general surgery clinics of an education and research hospital. The overall blood loss for laboratory analyses were calculated from the computerized Information Systems of the institution. Anemia was evaluated by comparing the hemoglobin levels of each patient at the time of admission and discharge.

Results: The mean blood loss from phlebotomy was 55.18±22.87 (23.5-178) mL in the internal medicine, whereas 29.06±9.12 (12-58) mL in the general surgery group. The mean changes in hemoglobin values were -0.31±0.92 g/dL for the internal medicine and -0.44±0.51 for the general surgery group. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) levels at admission was 11.96±1.82 (9.82-14.51) g/dL for the internal medicine group, and 12.48±0.89 (11.58-13.66) g/dL for the general surgery group. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) levels at the time of discharge was 11.65±0.95 (9.10-13.22) g/dL for the internal medicine group, and 12.04±0.96 (11.18-13.21) g/dL for the general surgery group.

Conclusion: More than half of the patients were discharged with a lower Hb than on admission. However, our results indicate that the phlebotomized blood volume does not cause anemia in inward patients.