Stupid Lab Tech

[jasperkat]

Hi everyone!  I haven't been around much because hubby has been very ill and is currently in a nursing home - supposedly for rehab.  That's a whole other issue.  Today I went in a lunch and found a bandage on the hand of his fistula arm.  Apparently the person who came in and drew blood didn't bother to read the sign, check his arm or ask him.  There was a long loud discussion with the management of the nursing home.  Fortunately for hubby and the nursing home there was no damage.  Has this ever happened to you!?

[boxman55]

I was in a hospital bed with a big sign over the right side of the bed. About 3 in the morning I was woken by a guy getting ready to draw from that arm. I told him off load enough to bring in the nurses from down the hall. I wound up reminding people a half dozen times during that stay. Boxman

[thegrammalady]

when i've been the hospital, even as an outpatient, they put a bright red band on the arm with my fistula that says no needle sticks no bp. so far i haven't had any problems. i've had to say no a couple of times before the band came, but so far that's the only problem i've had.

[jbeany]

If they don't have a band at the nursing home, try magic marker - write it on the arm instead.  Then they will have no excuses that they didn't know.  I've fought that battle at every doctor's visit, lab draw, etc.  It amazes me how few in the medical profession have a clue about dialysis and the requirements for an access.

[Bajanne]

This is a bit strange to hear.  Every time that I have had to go to ER recently (3 times), they have had to draw blood.  My veins are very hard to find.  I always say "don't you want to get some easy blood from my graft?", and they would recoil in horror.  No way would they ever think of going there!  Out of bounds!  I thought that caution was the same every where.

[kitkatz]

It is a universal caution when dealing with a dialysis patient. Some people just do not pay attention to what they are doing. The midnight vampires in hospital often just want to get it all done and go off shift quickly.  I threw one guy who tried to get blood from me at two in the morning out of my room and told the nurse who came in to yell at me to "Send in the goddamn professionals next time."  He left the room.  Needless to say no bloodwork was taken until morning from me.

[bdpoe]

If they don't have a band at the nursing home, try magic marker - write it on the arm instead.  Then they will have no excuses that they didn't know.  I've fought that battle at every doctor's visit, lab draw, etc.  It amazes me how few in the medical profession have a clue about dialysis and the requirements for an access.

You got that right. It shocks me what goes on in nursing homes, hospitals, doctors' ofifices and clinics.
That goes double for State Health Agencies, Medicare, and the ESRD Network.
Is this the greatest country or what?
.....bd

[Stacy Without An E]

I've been fortunate not to be unconscious in the hospital when they want to take blood or get a blood pressure reading because no one very checks.  Because of my diligence, my graft has lasted twelve years.  That's an eternity and unheard of in the medical community.  Hold your ground and if it takes a good ass chewing, by all means let it flow.

I've also had giant signs above my bed informing the lab to stay away from my left arm.  It should be neon because no one ever reads it.