Wellness

[catprincess]

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.

[Lacey1]

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.

[Mama Mia]

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.

mm

[LilacTree]

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.

[Nightowlz]

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.

[Lacey1]

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.

[151949]

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.

[Buck-i-Nana]

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.

[Lacey1]

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.

[feef]

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.