A doctor needs to be present to draw blood?

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

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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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

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.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
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.

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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!!

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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??

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Was it a new LPN still being validated? That's so odd.

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I agree with Altra...that sounds like someone that isn't licensed as an LPN...otherwise, it doesn't matter.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
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

Then I'm surprised they let me sign in when the doc is not in the building--that pen could fly out of my hand and land in my carotid artery.

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Lol well it was just a thought! The doc I worked with was very particular about things and it sounds like the kind of policy he would put in place.

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