Scare at a Medical Lab !?

Question

Hello

I visited a medical lab yesterday to get my blood draw for some tests....I was surprised by the low quality of the LAB and it was basically a mess..I didnt feel that they followed any type of safety procedures at all ! Anyway, I dont know why, but I let them draw my blood. The doctor didnt even wear any gloves when he was drawing my blood ! The good thing is that the needle was taken out of the plastic wrapping in front of me..I think I am sure coz I was watching carefully....Was I at any risk of contracting any virus from the lab?? I am very scared of HIV

Answer 1

You are probably not at any risk. It's a little known fact that the gloves that Lab people put on are not there to protect you but you protect the staff from you. The gloves are not sterile. They are worn because of the laws of Universal Precautions that require that all patients are handled as though they could transmit some infectious illness. The reason I say "probably" not at risk is because I don't know what other conditions were bad in the Lab. Even if there was some other blood splattered somewhere it would not likely pose a threat, but a very small chance always exists.

ETA: Geez PATRICIA! Overreact much?? It's no wonder healthcare is so expensive with people trying to sue over not wearing gloves. I agree it's certainly proper practice, but it's nothing to get that upset about. Geez!...malpractice attorney??...HIV and Hepatitis testing??? Expose?? Settle down.

Answer 2

It's very unlikely that you will contract HIV from a person not wearing gloves, so try not to be too scared, but this lab needs to be reported for violation of the Standard Universal Precautions all certified medical facilities are expected to follow. I doubt it was a doctor drawing your blood but rather a phlebotomist, but whoever it was needs to be reported to the management of the facility. They could be fined or even closed for failure to use the safety precautions everyone knows are required.

Never be afraid to say "No!" if you feel someone is not following proper procedures or you do not feel safe. Hands need to be washed or sanitized between each patient and gloves need to be worn each and every time.

I personally got a technician fired who wanted to draw my blood using the same gloves he had used on another patient! The clinic director was my physician and she read him the riot act. Unfortunately for him, he told her the gloves "were only to protect him from patients" and she should be glad he was saving the office the expense of the gloves. When she told him that was unacceptable and that he had to change gloves he made a smart alec remark and she fired him.

I have made people wash their hands before treating me and I want to see fresh gloves put on where I can see them. I've worked in health care since 1978 and know too much to take chances.

When you report this violation, you should ask the management to test you for hepatitis and HIV at no cost to you and do follow-up testing as required. Be certain your own doctor is notified about this lab as soon as possible.

If the management of this lab is not responsive or helpful, consider speaking with a malpractice attorney as well as filing a complaint. Your local medical society can help you with finding the proper authorities to contact. You might also call the "consumer reporter" at your local TV station to do a possible undercover expose of this place.

But in the future, follow you instincts and if the place or the care giver doesn't seem right, walk away.

Answer 3

If the needle was wrapped & the dr. never touched you there after the puncture I wouldn't worry about it but I'd definitely report the lab because they do more than blood work & the risk of your blood getting mixed up with someone else's & getting a wrong report. Usually you report them to the state medical office or licensing & regulation in the state capitol.