topic Re: IV problems in Wellness

IV problems

Karie2022 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 16:27:13 GMT

Had to have a cat scan yesterday with contrast, problem is they could not get the IV in...they stuck me 4-5 times trying to get a vein and blew two veins-they went ahead with the cat scan as they told me the contrast was optimal but not necessary...needless to say it was a painful experience and was told I have tiny veins...I am feeling this an error on the techs part or does this happen sometimes? I have had many blood draws in my life and several IV's and never had them not be able to get it in....I was not dehydrated drank a lot of water that morning..just wondering if this has happened to any of you?

Re: IV problems

conlt — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 16:29:35 GMT

It happens routinely. 3 sticks should be the limit or they should have had someone else try.

Re: IV problems

Lacey1 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 16:34:52 GMT

I am an RV and am pretty good with IVs and blood draws. Starting an IV is very different than hitting a vein for a blood sample. Age, illness, and medications take their toll on your veins. Especially prednisone. If more than one tech attempted to start an IV without success, I would believe your veins were being stubborn. However, that is a good tip for anyone having a procedure involving IV access-make sure you are well hydrated!

Re: IV problems

Shelbelle — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 16:36:41 GMT

Very, very few techs have ever been successful at sticking me in my arms, so for years now I only have blood drawn from my hands, it stings for a moment, but the results are usually very quick with little bruising. Had an IV for a colonoscopy done in my hand too. One tip for making it easier is to drink lots of water before the appt.

Re: IV problems

realsilvergirl — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:00:04 GMT

All the time! And yeah to draw blood you just have to tap the vein with a tip of a needle . For an IV we have to shove basically a coffee stirrer all the way into your vein without running it through the other side, get blood return advance the needle and withdraw needle leaving long plastic catheter in place. Blood draws vs IVs totally different.

Re: IV problems

realsilvergirl — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:03:07 GMT

And even if you think you are hydrated...coffee dehydrates and constricts your vessels. Didbyou have coffee? That is why caffeine is in Excedrin. A migraine is from dilated vessels and blood pouring thru vessels. Caffeine constricts them lessening pain.

Re: IV problems

RedHeadedWench — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:23:02 GMT

Three sticks is the limit for one phlebotomist, then you can have another try.

I just got out of the hospital on Thursday, and my arms look like some one beat the @#$# out of me. My veins are small, and deep.

I know how you feel, I go through the same thing when I have to have bloodwork or an IV done.

Re: IV problems

Lacey1 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:48:40 GMT

One more thing-if you are obese, your veins may be obscured because of fat. Many people can only have venipuncture in one arm only, (mastectomy, Renal shunt, amputation, etc). Veins that are used frequently wear out. I have had to use patient's feet and jugular veins because we just couldn't find a peripheral upper limb vein. Many times, if patients will be hospitalized and require IV access, the doctors will insert a central line. A PICC, (peripherally inserted central catheter) can be used for long-term antibiotics, but still require a decent vein to insert it. I have a power-port in my upper chest for on-going chemotherapy-it's the way to go if you need long-term IV access.

Re: IV problems

va603 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:54:24 GMT

Hello. I'm an emergency room RN and I start many ivs. For a CT scans requiring IV contrast, we frequently have to use a larger bore iv and place it in a larger vein. For blood draws, we typically use a much smaller gauge catheter. That is probably why in the past you have never had trouble, they're just using a smaller size.

Re: IV problems

bells4me — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 19:31:18 GMT

I have had 7 or 8 IV's & never had to be stuck more than once. I've had them in the crook of the arm, the back of the hand and the inside wrist. They are much better than they used to be but definitely not one of my favorite things.

Re: IV problems

catprincess — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 19:54:52 GMT

Oh, you poor woman! My Mom had this same test in the hospital & it took them 3 hours & 10 techs to find a vein! I told her why didn't you tell them to forget it. She said"they said I needed it"! The test came out with nothing on it. I have to ask the tech to use a baby needle for blood draws & do they ever hate that-but it is the only thing that works! Speak up patients-your DR. & the techs are not always right.

Re: IV problems

Lacey1 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 20:02:15 GMT

On 1/18/2014 catprincess said:
Oh, you poor woman! My Mom had this same test in the hospital & it took them 3 hours & 10 techs to find a vein! I told her why didn't you tell them to forget it. She said"they said I needed it"! The test came out with nothing on it. I have to ask the tech to use a baby needle for blood draws & do they ever hate that-but it is the only thing that works! Speak up patients-your DR. & the techs are not always right.

You can yell at the techs, nurses and doctors all that you want. If you have lousy veins, it's not their fault. As the other poster said, some procedures require a large bore needle. Blood cells can be damaged thru smaller tubing/needles. Some medications can stick to the tubing, etc. Believe me when I tell you that techs/nurses would LOVE to hit the vein the first time-they don't stick you repeatedly because they like it.

Re: IV problems

Mama Mia — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 22:21:18 GMT

I feel bad for you too, that hurts so much!The nurse or tech has a three time poke limit with me. If they're good, they can get it right away. Have had a mastectomy so they can't use that side either. Had a tech in LV that made my entire arm bruise black and blue for days. That's when I got wise to the limit.

I'm no guinea pig, and I'm not taking the blame for it. When I had chemo, I also had a Power Port in my chest, had it removed a couple weeks after I was done with chemo.

Re: IV problems

LilacTree — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 22:35:54 GMT

I've had hundreds and hundreds of needles into my veins for various and sundry reasons. I have very prominent (ugly) veins, so if someone messes me up, it's usually the tech. Most of them are expert at what they do, many are not . . . and males are the worst. They don't care how much they irritate you and most of the time if I have had significant bruises that last for a week, it's because a male did it.

Sorry if that offends anyone. I am just relating my experiences.

Re: IV problems

Nightowlz — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:18:21 GMT

Yes always. I dread my yearly thyroid blood test. I always tell them I'm not a pin cushion nor do I wish to go on a fishing expedition. If they stick the needle in & have to start fishing around for my vein I ask for someone that knows what they are doing. They say my veins roll. I also have a 3 time poke limit & I'm outta there. I even had a doctor that could not draw my blood for a kit I was mailed to see if I was a match for my mom years ago.

Re: IV problems

Lacey1 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:38:25 GMT

I have had to deal with 'difficult' patients. Usually heavy women, (don't mean to offend anyone-just relating my experience).They don't take care of their health, on a ton of meds. When they come for routine bloodwork it's , " You better use a butterfly-see if Linda is working-she's the only one that can get my blood. Last time you tried me, I was black and blue for a week, etc."

In the ER: Younger men come in with kidney stones-SCREAMING to 'Give me something for this pain!!!'. When you come in with a needle-they suddenly get sober as a judge and say, 'You're not sticking me- NO NEEDLES!'

Give the poor health care workers a break, please. It's a hard enough job as it is. We do the best we can. Thanks-rant over.

Re: IV problems

151949 — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:47:44 GMT

Getting or missing when inserting an IV depends upon 2 things - one certainly is the skill of the person doing it but the other is the person's veins. Even the most skilled IV team nurse can't cannulate a vein that is just too small and twisty. I'm sorry the OP had to go through this as I know they hurt. However, it is over now so it would be best to forget it and move on.

Re: IV problems

Buck-i-Nana — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:48:58 GMT

On 1/18/2014 lacey1 said:
I have had to deal with 'difficult' patients. Usually heavy women, (don't mean to offend anyone-just relating my experience).They don't take care of their health, on a ton of meds. When they come for routine bloodwork it's , " You better use a butterfly-see if Linda is working-she's the only one that can get my blood. Last time you tried me, I was black and blue for a week, etc."

In the ER: Younger men come in with kidney stones-SCREAMING to 'Give me something for this pain!!!'. When you come in with a needle-they suddenly get sober as a judge and say, 'You're not sticking me- NO NEEDLES!'

Give the poor health care workers a break, please. It's a hard enough job as it is. We do the best we can. Thanks-rant over.

Not trying to offend you, but what I highlighted struck me like a lightening bolt. You take issue with the patient, yet another person successfully draws the blood? She may very well have difficult veins, or is fat and the veins are buried, but Linda succeeds. Perhaps you need to talk to Linda and find out her secret.

During my late hubby's cancer fight, there was just one person at the hematology/oncology office that I learned could draw his blood with one stick every time. I finally made it a point to ensure that Rosa was scheduled on the day we needed blood draws. 13 years have passed and I still remember her name, her smile and her gentle nature.

Re: IV problems

Lacey1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 01:28:21 GMT

You have to understand-once a patient decides that the person drawing their blood is not capable-the pressure is ON. If the patient starts to dictate the procedure-the phlebotomist is at a disadvantage. I have to get an IV inserted peripherally every 3 months for a MUGA scan-they can't use my port. I have about 3 accessable veins remaining in my left arm. Unless, I see a huge breech in procedure-I never tell the tech how to access my veins. I'm sorry for the loss of your husband.

Re: IV problems

feef — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 01:47:53 GMT

If you know that you will need an IV or your blood drawn, drink some water beforehand. Unless, of course you are having surgery that day. Being hydrated helps your veins become more plump. Also, three tries should be the limit. Another tech should take over at that point.