Purpose
To describe the bleeding-time procedure and its important modern limitations.
Principle
A standardized superficial skin injury is historically produced and the duration of bleeding is measured under controlled conditions.
Current Practice Consideration
Bleeding time is now limited, restricted or discontinued in many modern laboratories because of poor standardization, limited predictive value and the availability of alternative platelet and haemostasis investigations.
Procedure
Where the test remains approved for use by an institution, it must be performed strictly according to the institution's current validated and ethically approved procedure by trained personnel.
The local procedure should address:
- Patient selection and contraindications
- Standardized technique
- Timing method
- Safety and bleeding management
- Documentation and reporting
- Escalation of prolonged bleeding
Quality and Safety
Patient safety, institutional approval, standardized technique and appropriate management of bleeding must be ensured.
Reporting
Results should be interpreted cautiously and according to current laboratory and clinical policy.
Safety
Because this procedure involves intentional skin injury, it requires strict institutional governance and appropriate patient safety measures.