Difficult blood draws...

[Renman23]

Is anyone here a difficult blood draw? Ive been told i have hard to hit veins... I find that experienced Phelbotomists dont have difficulty but ....
I have been to LabCorp THREE freaking times this week to have my blood drawn and nothing.
this last time I told the nurse to Stop and i just left.

Any advice?

 

[MarcoFL]

do you make sure you are well hydrated?

 

[Renman23]

do you make sure you are well hydrated?

Dude! Drinking water all night!

 

[slicktop]

If you look at your forearms and the crook of your elbow, can you clearly see veins? If so, you've likely got an inexperienced phlebotomist. Tell them to slow tf down and use a smaller needle and it should be fine. Some LabCorp locations are so busy they try to rush everything to get to the next patient, so they hit you hard and fast with a big ass needle that'll fill the vial quicker. Lots of times that doesn't work as good as taking one extra minute and letting the patient relax and using a smaller needle that will pierce, instead of push, the vein. I'm an easy draw but I still get nervous 100% of the time at LabCorp, and if I can tell the tech is in a rush it makes it even worse for me.

 

[DragonBits]

Is anyone here a difficult blood draw? Ive been told i have hard to hit veins... I find that experienced Phelbotomists dont have difficulty but ....
I have been to LabCorp THREE freaking times this week to have my blood drawn and nothing.
this last time I told the nurse to Stop and i just left.

Any advice?

Go to a different labcorp. In my area, I can go to 4 different labcorps within 10 miles.

I have had at least 50 blood draws with no problems, most of the time it's the same phlebotomist as that labcorp is only 3 miles from my house. I usually go around 10:00 AM on weekdays.

Rarely, it hurts more than usual, like 1 out of 20 times.

Also, with most lab draw orders, I don't actually have to go to labcorp, other labs honor the same order. I have taken ACL blood test orders to labcorp ,though i have never tried to take a labcorp order to ACL It's worth asking if you want to change lab draw sites.

 

[Renman23]

I recognize I'm a tough stick, and i went to the THIS location because they used to have a really good phlebotomist.... sadly she's not there anymore... but I need new tests for my next consult so... Tuesday I try a new location... I am going to insist on smaller needles...

Thanks

 

[Renman23]

I have a friend who works @ the hospital I used to work at.... She arranged for their Blood lab to do the draw for me and send the blood to Labcorp for testing.

Thanks for the Response guys.

 

[Renman23]

Just to close the chapter... Went to the hospital lab.... the EXPERIENCED phlebotomist used a small butterfly needle.... one stick, successful draw!

 

[52hoosier]

Just to close the chapter... Went to the hospital lab.... the EXPERIENCED phlebotomist used a small butterfly needle.... one stick, successful draw!

Butterfly's are best for me. I had a LabCorp tech who hurt me really bad. My arm hurt for a month afterwards. I haven't seen her since and if she comes back, I won't let her poke me. The other two ladies do a good job. I also use the recliner and I can get light-headed sometimes. Funny story - I explained to one of them that I need the blood work for Defy and how I inject twice a week. She kinda shuttered and said, "I could NEVER inject myself."

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Next time ask them to use something like this

Vein Visualization Technology | AccuVein

 

[Renman23]

Next time ask them to use something like this

Vein Visualization Technology | AccuVein

That looks interesting.... I'll inquire.

Thanks

 

[Matthew1975]

A few suggestions for those who have "difficult" veins, (in no particular order).

- Drink a large bottle of water, or two big cups of water 15 minutes before your appointment. Water is absorbed quickly. You'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes.

- Do your very best to RELAX. Tensing up can cause veins to move as the muscles under and/or around them stiffen and shift. If you need to tense up, tense the opposite arm. If you can RELAX, it will be less uncomfortable. Any tensing would be best before the draw, trying to pump your muscles which will help the veins plump up.

- This goes along with relaxing. Whatever you do, do not: jump, twitch, twist, jerk, pull back, or wiggle. It's not only frustrating for the person trying to draw your blood, but it can be dangerous for them and result in the best vein you have getting pierced but not a successful draw. Hold still!

- If you cannot stand needles or blood, do not look at what they are doing. Keep yourself distracted with small talk and tell them why you are doing so. They will understand that you need to distract yourself. Again, do not tense up or move.

- Be willing to have either arm stuck, or if you have good veins in your hands, or back of your wrists, see if they would be willing to try them. Unless I need an IV in a particular place, I will put one anywhere I can.

- Try to keep your arms in a dependent position as long as possible prior to the draw. Gravity is your friend and helps fill the veins.

- Most important, talk to the people at the lab. Explain the situation. Tell them you will try anything they want, as you need the blood work. Best of all, try to talk with them before your appointment. Oh yes, don't move!

- When starting IV's, one thing I do for people who are dehydrated or simply have terrible veins, is use two tourniquets. It's not always easy to make a suggestion like that, as often times a person's ego will get in the way, but never know.

- Don't tense, don't move

 

[merrykeys]

A common problem. My boyfriend runs into her all the time, too. He has already tried all the tips from all sites, but it happens that a nurse can miss.
However, a couple of months ago, he found a nurse at a clinic near his home who sees his veins without any problems. She never told us how she does it, lol. But she mentioned that she attended some courses. [Advertising removed by moderator]
So now I'm calm about his hand. Because sometimes, it happened that he could walk with pain for several weeks. I think you should also look for "your" specialist.

 

[MarkM]

I have always been told I have great veins and I've only had one issue with the vein getting hit. Years ago I had an emergency appendectomy due to my appendix rupturing. The nurse put an IV into the top of my right forearm or at least she thought she did. She missed the vein and the IV was dripping inside my arm and it felt like it was on fire. It was the first time I'd ever had an IV so I thought it was supposed to feel that way. After about a half hour I finally said something and asked if the burning feeling was normal. Obviously they corrected it at that point.