Am I right to refuse?

[marjoriemac, LPN]

Hi,

Lookin' for some advice! I have to take bloods from a resident tomorrow however I intend to refuse on health and safety reasons. The lady is brain damaged and hits out even when washing her. I have to take a thumb prick every night to check her blood sugar and I need a carer to hold her hand down (even then she often overthrows the strongest of carers). I do not feel safe taking blood from this women as a) the needle will either go through her arm or into my own! b) if I ask the care staff to assist i.e. to hold her down, I feel this will be degrading and traumatic for the woman. The bloods are routine and requested by the dietician as she is on continuous PEG feeding due to unstable diabetes. What would you do?

[bargainhound, RN]

Safety has to come first.

If blood is drawn against her will:

1. There must be some legal permission

somehow from someone who has legal right to give the permission.

2. There must be enough people to help in order to prevent injury

to anyone.

[HairCanada]

Is there a MD who could prescibe a chemical/mechanical restraint for the procedure?

Yes, saftey first, and YOUR saftey first at that!

[marjoriemac, LPN]

Restraints are a big no no over here just now. I have contacted her diabetes nurse and asked her to do it if she needs the blood so bad. We have to face the woman on a daily basis and relationships don't grow when one is terrified!