this is unbelievable to me!

[Riverwhispering]

Last time I had my blood draw I told the nurse that it could be only on my right arm because of the fistula in my left arm.  She did draw it ok but she told me it would be ok to use my fistula arm to draw blood.  What the heck was she thinking?  I can just picture her putting that band over my fistula to pop up the vain.  I donno but that seems really wrong and no way will I allow it ever.   Isn't that something a nurse that draws blood should know about or am I totally wrong?

[amanda100wilson]

I totally agree with you.  I would be inclined to talk to her superviser.

[WishIKnew]

Yes!  a phlebotomist SHOULD know that!  I have a similar situation with blood pressure.  I had lymph nodes removed on the left side when I had breast cancer so no BP's on that side because of lymphodema.   The right arm was used for two fistula attempts - neither one worked long enough to use, but the surgeon told me no BP's in that arm.  So they must use my leg, but you should see how tricky it becomes trying to get them to do that.  "Oh, it's ok I can use either of your arms"....  What the heck!

Good thing we know what's what!

 

[dialysisadvocate]

Totally UNacceptable -- Every person who draws blood should know that this is not okay.
I would not only report this to the head of the department (if it was in a hospital, the lab director, and i would even give this informkation to the administrator of the hospital. ) If this happened to you, and you were knowledgeable, what about a patient who is not educated If it was in the physician's office, report to physician and director of the office.
I am glad you were educated and knew this was wrong...
opinion of Roberta Mikles www.qualitysafepatientcare.com

[willowtreewren]

OH no! No! No! No!

Blood draws should never be done from your fistula! 

Aleta

[MooseMom]

I'm really shocked.

[smcd23]

The only nurse who ever took blood out of my SO's fistula arm was the PD nurse with 20+ years of experience. And that's only because he had a clotted fistula already in the other arm which makes finding a good vein tricky at times. Any other person should NOT touch it. That is completely unacceptable. I'd contact a supervisor immediately. You knew better, but what about someone else who doesn't?? That could end terribly for someone who is not so educated!

[galvo]

Hit her over the head with a bed pan. Preferably, a full one.

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

.

[Grumpy-1]

NO NO NO NO - the only person(s) to take blood from a fistula are the dialysis nurses that are trained to do so.  Anyone else - NO WAY !!!!

[dialysisadvocate]

Grumpy, when do the dialysis nurses take blood from your fistula? Don't they take it from the line?

[Adam_W]

Ugh! I don't know how many times I've had to tell a nurse, paramedic, etc. to NOT draw blood or place IVs in my access arm. Same with blood pressures. It's maddening! 

[Grumpy-1]

Sorry to confuse you.  I switched to PD shortly after they started using my fistula.  So when I said the nurses use the fistula to take blood, I was referring to the PD nurses taking blood work for the lab.  I'm a hard stick and the fistula was a VERY easy location to use.  I would NEVER allow any other nurses or techs to use the fistula to take blood.  But sorry to say the first fistula clotted up and they couldn't get it reopened. They tried putting in a second fistula, but couldn't due to not enough veins to work with.  So it has been back to multiple sticks each time to get enough blood for the labs.  Grumpy