Trained nurses can obtain satisfactory bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies

Aims-To assess the feasibility of training nurse practitioners to perform b one marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy, and to compare the quality of th ese samples with those obtained by medical staff. Methods-A retrospective audit was undertaken of nurse practitioner and medi cal staff performance in bone marrow procedures in a busy haematology day u nit. Results-Nurse practitioners fared favourably in comparison with medical sta ff in performing bone marrow trephine biopsies, with mean biopsy lengths of 11 mm and 10.7 mm respectively. However, only 78% of the smears obtained b y the nurses were judged technically satisfactory, compared with 91% prepar ed by doctors. This discrepancy was thought to be due largely to the qualit y of slide spreading. Conclusions-With motivated staff and a structured educational and training programme it is possible for nurse practitioners to perform the techniques of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and obtain specimens of satisfactory q uality, thus improving efficiency of the haematology day unit and increasin g quality of patient care.