Background: Phlebotomy being a critical part of the pre analytical phase of laboratory testing is thernmost neglected procedure in health care. About 70% of quality of test is affected during phlebotomyrnand other pre analytical services. However, little is known about the practice of phlebotomy servicesrnin developing countries like Ethiopia.rnObjectives: To assess the practice of phlebotomists and to identify the major sources of errorsrnduring venous blood collection in public hospitals in Addis Ababa.rnMethodology: Hospital based, cross sectional study was conducted from April 15 to May 10, 2014.rnThe study followed 40 phlebotomists while each of them were collecting 5 different venous bloodrncollections (giving a total of 200 phlebotomies). Well structured questionnaires and checklists werernused to collect data. Data was entred on EPI-Data version 3.1and statistical analysis was performedrnwith SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics were employed and Chi square test was used forrncompairing major errors observed.rnResult: Almost all laboratory phlebotomy sites had no SOPs available in collection sites and mostrnof collection sites were not well ventilated. The major errors identified were use of single glove forrnmore than one client 139 of 200 (69.5%), inappropreate cleaning practice of vein puncture sites 180rnof 200 (90%), collecting blood before the disinfectant alcohol is air dried 139 of 200 (69.5%),rnincorrect tube collection sequences 107 of 200 (53.5%), unnecessarly applying of tourniquets afterrnblood started flowing in to the collection tubes and syringes 170 of 200 (85.0%) and applyingrntourniquets before locating and selecting approperate site for venous blood collection 175 of 200rn(87.5%).rnConclusion and Recommendation: - Many errors were identified in the phlebotomy practicernduring the observational study. As the quality of blood specimen influences patient result: emphasisrnshould be given on phlebotomy training to improve the practices for phlebotomists and ensurernsafety as well as quality during blood collections for laboratory analysis.rnKeywords: phlebotomy, venous blood collection, Quality, tourniquet, phlebotomist, preanalyticalrnerrors