[humiliated]

Today I went complete my physical for pre-employment at a hospital I going to be working at. Since I was going to be working in the ER they recommended I get a Rubello titer drawn. First the phlebotomist barely wiped my arm down with an alcohol wipe, I then asked her if I could wipe it myself so I could make sure the site was clean. This should have been a warning sign for her lack of knowledge! Then she stuck me with a butterfly and just left the thing hanging there. I asked her to please keep her hand on it... I was to late and through my vessel she went causing a hematoma. I was so ticked. I can't believe what she did, I could have drawn the blood myself, at least I would have known it would have been done right! I don't have a problem with trained professionals doing blood draws, however, I do have a problem when people don't know what they are doing and take sticks lightly. She didn't even offer me any ice or anything to help to decrease the damage or anything. I was so ticked. I didn't know how to respond. So I just left and went home and put some ice on the area. I am so upset and I know if it were on a patient, I would not have allowed it to happen so I'm not sure why I let her mess up my arm. Any ideas on how to approach the phelbotomist when you know they are doing things wrong without offending them in order to protect myself?

[ERRN1028]

I have had same exp # of occassions,
1st i've never done that, you're right should be PROFESSIONALs, Keep the butterfly in control, hello??
2nd I now work at a childrens hosp, and I get sick at how they prod around in the A/C hoping to hit something, makes my stomach turn, literally
3rd- I had someone miss my A/c (pipeline-big and blue) then hit it, go through it and hematoma like you, very disappointing. I agree

[ERRN1028]

How to approach?
HMM.. well I remember I was always good at the sticking, but not about nsg care never taught that b/f nsg school.
you could start by showing the hematoma (pts do that) then maybe be honest and say you are medical personal, if same would have happened to a patient that its a serious injury, and explain, pressure, ice, elevation etc. may decrease further complications. Of course with a smile, they'll prob. take it personally no matter how nice you say it.

[humiliated]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try that next time. Hopefully there won't be a next time. I have applied my nursing knowledge to treat myself.

[jaimealmostRN]

One technique I always use is by sayings, "Oh, I just quit my job as a phlebotomist and I miss it so!" Actually, I quit about a yr ago b/c of school, but it makes them mind their p's and q's! But I'm guessing you were in employee health so this person probably should have known that you worked in healthcare (duh). I would probably call the manager of the dept. and say nicely that your just alerting her to a situation and that your arm is very uncomfortable. But definatly don't be angry b/c you'll probably run into her later.

[SarasotaRN2b]

This is actually one of the reasons that I am planning on taking a phlebotomy course before going into nursing school. Because blood work is needed in order to help your patient, I want to be able to do it as painlessly as possible. My dad usually finds himself with a bruise (very vibrant at times) and when he tells me that some phlebotomists do just try to dig, makes me very upset. I would think that it takes a negligible amount of time to make sure that a patient feels the least amount of pain as possible. I myself have been fortunate where I've had experienced and caring phlebotomists.

[Venuschick23]

I know this is a super old post but I just ran into it
It's good to hear what the other side has to say...I've been through a phlebotomy course; already passed the national exam and am currently interning at a local hospital to complete my clinical hours. Being in a hospital setting is a lot different than class I'll tell you that much!

Do you know if the person that drew you was a student or had they been there for a while? I'm finding out that there are a WHOLE LOT of fast paced phlebotomy programs out there where most students don't get much experience. It's scary for me to KNOW now and think that some of the people I'm working with never got the practice that they needed during their schooling.

I, on the other hand, went through an ROP program and it was the best thing I ever did...we learn the "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" method since we get to practice on EACH OTHER...for 4 months straight, 3 nights a week, we did it all. But even though we got all the practice in the world during class it's alot different once in the hospital setting depending on the patient, their sensitivity or fear of needles and so many other health factors. But now matter how much experience we got, there is always something that can go wrong.

I can say that I HATE when I see the people I work with "fishing" for veins, it looks painful! and 90% of the time it is! But it's either doing that while you're already in the vicinity, or another needle stick on the patient somewhere else. I personally don't like the fishing method, if I miss once, I'll leave it to the patient to decide if they want me to try and get it while I'm there or just try again.

It's tough to say depending on the phlebotomist, everybody is different. The part I hate about this job is that I know people dislike needles, I hate to be on the receiving end too, who doesn't? Unless you're a needle masochist or something lol And no one is ever happy to see the lab walk in to the room because every draw is always so uncertain.

But if you knew from the beginning that they were going to mess you up, you have rights, you could have refused for that particular tech to not draw you and they would just get someone else to do it. I say trust your instincts next time. It would be nice if the lab can bring in a line-up of phlebotomists for you to pick from huh? that way if the person you pick messes up then it's all on you lol

I've learned so much being at this hospital and can't believe how little some people think about what phlebotomists have to go through and offer...when we're the ones that put ourselves in direct (invasive) risk like every other high ranking person in a hospital. And we're the ones that help get the results EVERYBODY needs in order to treat the patient...to help you...drawing blood I feel is a "necessary evil" and an essential part of your final diagnosis.

I have seen a few too many nurses dabble with bloodletting trying to get an IV needle in for the 5th time when it was completely unnecessary to do it so many times because I would come and wait there until they got it so they can just draw from that line instead of me having to draw the patient, and when they don't get it and I need my specimen STAT they're in shock because I get in there and get my draw the first time.

Ironically, I hated needles and decided to take phlebotomy to get over my fear...I feel I have succeeded.

And what it all comes down to is how empathic the person that's drawing or sticking an IV in you is. Bottom line.

It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it right? lol

[mandykal]

Good comment Venuschick....I, too was browsing on this old post.......

Sometimes before I get stick I just tell the phleb. a hint: "I give a million shots but somehow, I can't seem to grasp taking one."
That comment usually leads the person to say "oh, what do you do?" ...........

[lastof010]

where as a hematoma sometimes happens even in a proper draw there is no excuse for the behavior of this Phlebotomist. As a patient regaurdless whether your are in the health profession or not. you have the right to stop any procedure that you are exposed to. If a professional isnt being such it is your responsibility to tell that person to stop and that you perfer to have another person perform the job and that you should have requested to speak to thier superior. think about it what happens next time when that person does that to an elderly patient and they dont heal or to a child that is tramatized for life. There are good Phlebs and bad Phlebs....lets get rid of the bad ones. I hope you heal quickly and I will appoligize for her unprofessional behavior. I am not a nurse but I used to be Pheb before I went on to radiography and I have no patients for bad behavior in a field where I took pride in. If you ever have an experience like that again . stop them and tell tell them to stay away from you. Dont worry about hurting their feelings, obviously they didnt worry about hurting you.