Don't you just hate it when its time to have your blood drawn, that you?

Question

get a person you just know doesn't know what he/she is doing? You know a big bruise is coming. Yikes Do you ask for someone else or just pray?

Answer 1

As someone who worked as a phlebotomist for three years, I can tell you there are many reasons why a person would get a bruise besides it being the fault of the phlebotomist.
1 - Blood thinners. Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix are the biggies. Use one of these? You will always have a bruise, and if not, perhaps your level is dangerously off.
2 - If you carry a purse on the arm that had the blood drawn.
3 - Do any lifting within a day or two of your blood draw?
4 - Did you keep your arm as straight as possible for the rest of the day or did you bend it up? Despite what some may say, bending the arm will cause less bleeding BUT a bigger bruise.
5 - Do you have what is known as "onion skin"?
6 - Eat alot of green vegetables? These cause your blood to thin, therefore creating bruises.
7 - Are you clumsy? Did you bump your needlestick area on something and not even realize it?

Some phlebotomists are not good at their job and will cause bruising, and often times, pain. But not all. I would say that about 70% of us give a painless, bruise less needlestick. Think the % is lower? Perhaps you keep getting the bad phleotomists. You know, you ARE the patient, you ARE allowed to ask, "You look like a really nice person, but, can I have someone with at least 3 years of experience?" Most will gladly step aside, even if they have OVER 3 years experience, because, if someone is going to be a baby about it, we'd rather not do the stick. We see enough drama from patients, if we can avoid one more, we'll gladly get someone else.
Also, a common misconception is that if someone uses a "baby needle", the stick will be less painful, quicker, and will cause less bruising (a baby needle is typically between 22 and 26 gauge). Sorry, if you have a bad phlebotomist, a baby needle is still gonna hurt like heck, its going to take LONGER because its a smaller needle, therefore, a smaller hole inside the needle permitting less blood flow, and its still going to bruise. If you have a good phlebotomist, they can use a 16 gauge needle (huge, the smaller the #, the larger the needle, most blood is drawn using a 21 or 22 gauge needle) and it'll be painless, quick, and possibly bruise free.
As far as people who say that "It usually takes them 7 or 8 tries before they get me", I think you may have had a bad day where students were the only ones sticking, because the only people that it takes 7 or 8 tries with are the ones that have been using heroin for over 5 years, or the ones who are diabetic. Those are the only two categories where multiple needle sticks will occur. I remember one heroin addict who had to be stuck by 14 people before someone finally got her blood. I had a lady tell me one time that she has REALLY SMALL VEINS and the last time she was in, they had to stick her 25 times. I almost laughed in her face when I found a huge vein in her right arm. But she said, "I write with that arm. You may only use my left." And, of course, she had no veins in the left arm, and I had to stick her 3 times, where as I could have gotten her in a snap in the right arm.
Finally, remember that this is only, what, maybe two minutes of your life. Two minutes of how many minutes have you been alive? Two little insignificant minutes. Just relax, be cooperative, don't be hesitant or mean from the start, think positively, and everything will be fine.

Answer 2

It is perfectly acceptable to request some one else to draw your blood. It is your right as a patient. But, you should not assume that the next one is going to be any better. And always be tactful when requesting someone else. For example just explain to the first person that you are very nervous and would appreciate the most experienced person available to draw your blood. btw how would you know the first person isn't the best? Honestly is a potential bruise really worth possibly offending a good phlebotomist

Answer 3

Being a former nurse, I take no prisoners when it comes to someone working on ME! I have one arm where the veins run crosswise to the norm, and I always tell the person getting ready to draw the blood to not ever use it. I have had ones that INSISTED (when I was too ill to object successfully) and always ended up missing.

I have had people insist that the needle is in the proper place only to realize that they have gone right through to the other side (after they have managed to inject the whole of that radioactive dye into my flesh at my elbow), and have to start again.

Oh, yes, you can betcha that I object! And I usually win.

Do you know that during a nursing shortage in Toronto, my youngest daughter needed to undergo surgery and they used a DENTAL TECHNICIAN to start her I.V....at least she TRIED to start the I.V.. I read them the riot act when I found out after she came back into recovery, because there were numerous bandages decorating her arms and hands!

Answer 4

I have to have blood work done twice a year. It is done by the same nurse and she is wonderful! I am very blessed in this regard.

However, if i have to have an I.V.? They have to catch me first! Even if there is NOTHING under that hospital gown...I am sooooooo out of there! It just seems like they can never get the needle to stay in my veins and so, the dig and dig and dig until I am screaming for someone from the anesthesia department! So, this is more my nightmare than the blood draws.

Answer 5

Yes I hate it so much. It usually takes 5 times to get a vein. The Red Cross won't even accept me
when I try to give blood.
But because I've been a phlebotomy's for 25 years I know what to expect, which clinics to go to where I'll get the best they have.
Once while I was in the ER no one could find a vein and someone from the air vac crew had to come and do it.
I don't get mad, I feel like it's my fault for growing such veins.

Answer 6

I have asked for someone else, fortunately, I have not come across newbies very often. I go weekly and I can't remember the last time it went badly. No bruises on this baby.

Answer 7

Well, I usually tolerate things pretty well, but if I take an instant dislike to the person, in the sense that I know she hasn't a clue what she's doing I'll tell her to go get some one else. when you have blood draw and IVs put in as often as some people you have to learn to defend yourself from incompetent people.

Answer 8

I never get the same people and it doesnt bother me too much.

Speaking of blood work.
I just recieved a Normal cholesteral (sp?) for the first time since I was 29 years old!! Im 55 now. but I take Crestor. Yay.

Answer 9

I ask beforehand if the person drawing it is experienced with little veins - If they say no (or say yes but I think they are lying) then I always demand someone who has excelled at it. Hey - it's my veins, and the bruises are gonna be on my body! so i deserve someone who won't bruise me!!

Answer 10

It doesn't bother me a bit. Takes about 30 seconds. Never bruised in my life.