unbelievable... in today's world

[ilmbg]

This is just an 'I can't believe it' vent! Not in today's world of nursing/healthcare....

Yesterday I went to the local hospital to have some labwork drawn.

My veins were being 'chinsy', so the lab tech used a butterfly, making her both hands 'used'. She called over another tech to help with the tubes/syringe. The 2nd lab tech did help...without gloves, and did get quite a bit of my blood on her hands. I didn't say anything- In one hospital I worked at -Phoenix- it was a $25,000 fine if you were caught without gloves drawing blood/starting IV's, etc.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I can !!!!! I see it more than I can stand. Yes you are right, Health care workers absolutely need to use PPE. We are trained to care for and protect our patients but then we can not do the same for ourselves Come on !!!!. Not only will gloves protect us from bodily fluids glove also offers some degree of protection from a needle puncture as the glove cleans it a bit

[SockMonkey.ecb]

Seems like the equivalent of driving without a seatbelt to me. Certainly easier but oh, so stupid!

[RNperdiem, RN]

People also smoke, drink too much and don't wear seatbelts.

I'm not surprised. It is not that they don't know either.

You know how some people are germ phobic to an unreasonable degree? Well, some folks live on the other far extreme.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I had an HIV draw once for peace of mind and the woman didn't use gloves. I mean of all the tests! And she was training another phlebotomist!

[pugmomrn]

You know, I started in nursing after AIDS came out to the world. I learned how to start IVs and draw blood with gloves on, and consider myself to be quite skilled- even with the hard sticks. I would never think of trying it without!

I've also seen phlebs. do fancy things--ripping off certain fingers of their gloves for the "feel". Sorry dude- that's one mighty hole in your protective equipment!

[delilas]

I get bothered during procedures where there should be a glove change (like during between a suctioning and then trach cleaning) and the nurse doesn't change gloves, much less when they were none! I would have to say something, it scares me too much.

It is a risk to both sides - I don't want whatever is on your hands when you're poking holes in me, and you shouldn't want anything from me on your hands! I think a lot of nurses forget that the gloves are NOT just for their protection.

[chelynn]

I find it odd that the tech can't hold a butterfly and draw into tubes at the same time. I've done it and seen it done a million times!

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I get bothered during procedures where there should be a glove change (like during between a suctioning and then trach cleaning) and the nurse doesn't change gloves, much less when they were none! I would have to say something, it scares me too much.

It is a risk to both sides - I don't want whatever is on your hands when you're poking holes in me, and you shouldn't want anything from me on your hands! I think a lot of nurses forget that the gloves are NOT just for their protection.

We don't usually use sterile gloves for sticks, and the clean gloves aren't particularly cleaner than washed hands. But try to tell your patients that! I've sometimes done some tough sticks without gloves, but washed hands before and after. Did that with one pt whose spouse was having a cow because I wasn't wearing gloves. So I gloved up and got it anyway, after which I decided going gloveless wasn't such a big help.

Lately, we've gone to almost exclusively non-latex gloves stocked in the rooms. Probably prudent, but they don't fit me as well. So if I can't find some of the remaining latex clean gloves, I'll use sterile gloves, which are still latex. Just doing my bit for cost reduction! I also use sterile gloves and sterile technique if I have a neutropenic patient. I've never been told that's necessary, but it seems prudent.

So I'm better about gloving than I used to be, but gloves or no gloves, handwashing is still the best protection for all concerned.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

On the other end of the spectrum, I've taken first aid and CPR classes with people that say they would not touch another person without PPE. If they were out in the middle of nowhere and had no gloves or face shield, they would watch another person die rather than attempt to help.

I think it's all well and good to use standard precautions, and I always do, but let's keep things in perspective. With intact skin and thorough hand washing, the chances of acquiring a blood borne pathogen are miniscule.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I think it borders on laziness. And to those who say you have to "feel" the vein, then I say you better bone up on anatomy.

One point you made that is impt for sure: patients are watching

[HolisticSandz]

I'm working as a Phlebotomist at a busy clinic while I attend nursing school. At our facility it is a HUGE no no to draw blood without gloves. We could aquire a giant fine from our laboratory licensing body, the College of American Pathologists. While we Can feel for veins without gloves, once you have a needle or tube in your hand you must have gloves on. It is not just knowing anatomy, I have plenty of patients that are very hard sticks. Cancer patients, Transplant pts, etc , sometimes can be almost impossible unless you have very sensitive and experienced hands. Although sometimes we have to get creative and you definetly Do need to know your anatomy!