A doctor needs to be present to draw blood?

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  1. This is a discussion on A doctor needs to be present to draw blood? in Nursing Issues On Patient Safety, part of General Nursing ... I go to my doctor's office for routine blood draws--it's drawn by the LPN. One day recently I went...

    by Mar 18
    I go to my doctor's office for routine blood draws--it's drawn by the LPN. One day recently I went there to have blood drawn. After a few minutes wait, the LPN said to me "sorry for the wait--I'm just waiting for Dr. Jones to show up. I can't draw it until there is a doctor in the building."

    Is this the usual policy at doctors' offices? Were they afraid that she might nick my aorta while drawing blood from my AC (and, yes, I say this in jest)? Is there a doctor present at every lab site that draws blood?
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    by psu_213 Mar 18 10:35 am
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    rubijoe48 likes this.
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  3. 47 Comments so far...

  4. Guide
    Mar 18 by
    Bizarre.

    A couple of possibilities: is the staff person not an LPN, but an MA "working under the direction" of the MD and s/he has been directed to take that concept literally? Or ... the office has recently had a patient develop a nasty phlebitis (unlikely from a simple blood draw, but within the realm of possibility) or other complication and the knee-jerk reaction has been to have the MD present for blood draws. An ineffective/unproductive arrangement, in any case.
    rubijoe48, nursel56, Esme12, and 1 other like this.
  5. Mar 18 by
    Quote from Altra
    is the staff person not an LPN, but an MA "working under the direction" of the MD and s/he has been directed to take that concept literally?
    Now I know there seems to be a rash of MAs calling themselves "nurses," but this individual's name badge clear states "Licensed Practical Nurse." I'm hoping the would not be that brazen in trying to make us think that the MA has a license.

    If it is the phlebitis thing, I would like to know how the doc would prevent that. Maybe just having his/her aura within 30 feet of the blood draw will ward off the evil spirits.
    DizzyLizzyNurse, bebbercorn, SleeepyRN, and 16 others like this.
  6. Mar 18 by
    Quote from psu_213

    If it is the phlebitis thing, I would like to know how the doc would prevent that. Maybe just having his/her aura within 30 feet of the blood draw will ward off the evil spirits.
    LOL!!
    DizzyLizzyNurse and Ffranco like this.
  7. Mar 18 by
    At my old job, a doctor had to present when our LPN gave an allergy injection in case of a reaction....maybe it is like that??
    LadyFlamez likes this.
  8. Mar 18 by
    Was it a new LPN still being validated? That's so odd.
    LadyFlamez likes this.
  9. Mar 18 by
    I agree with Altra...that sounds like someone that isn't licensed as an LPN...otherwise, it doesn't matter.
    Esme12 likes this.
  10. Mar 18 by
    That is very odd! I was a PCP office Lpn last winter (short term contract) and we drew blood if the MD was there or not...we had protocols in place for any issues but I never had one other than a hard stick.
  11. Mar 18 by
    Quote from chrisrn24
    At my old job, a doctor had to present when our LPN gave an allergy injection in case of a reaction....maybe it is like that??

    Not the same thing. It's not like they are drawing blood from hemophiliacs.
    psu_213 likes this.
  12. Mar 18 by
    You never know though some docs are odd about stuff, it may he a rule he really put in place for his own peace of mind