10 tubes of blood taken
By 911Ricki
@911Ricki (13588)
Canada
December 14, 2012 2:54pm CST
My GI ordered a bunch of blood work for me to get this week. I got up at 6am this morning, to get over to the clinic right as they open. There was still about 15 people in line when I pulled up (and I was 30 minutes early before the doors open).
The lady pulls out 10 large tube (they have several sizes), she was curseing because she could find my veins (they are hard anyways), I pointed at the vein they use, she made some rude comments, then went to another vein, missed it and was digging in my arm for it. My arm was numb when I left, and bruised immediately.
Normally when I get this much blood work done, I have to sit and wait. They also say to eat, then I can drive. They basically showed me the door, and let me drive home.
I called my doctors officed, and he said I can go to the one in the clinic (where he is) by appointment, so I am going to do that as I really don't like the nurses up at this other office.
5 people like this
12 responses
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
14 Dec 12
Awwww, that's awful! It all depends on who is doing it. They tell me I have rolling veins so it's hard to get hold of them. Well, I've had some nurses, either male or female, do it immediately and left no bruising at all. I've had others who just cannot seem to get hold of it and I'm bruised for days. Go figure.
Same with shots. Some can do them and leave no pain or mark. Others do them and my arm is sore for days. I have no idea why this happens so I'm saying it's got to be who is doing it.
Sorry that all happened to you. I'm glad you can try somewhere else and I also hope they are better at this.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (48556)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Dec 12
Either all those people needed fasting conditions or they were just anxious to get it over with. I know when I go for my blood tests there's always a lot of people ahead of me, anytime of the day, but forget about getting in first thing. I just get some extra sleep and go a little later.
1 person likes this
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
14 Dec 12
That's when everyone goes throughout the day, there is 2 - 4 times the amount of people throughout the day, and they move a lot slower after 9am. Which is why I usually go first thing in the morning, I waited an hour, and this is fast for them. I went once at 830am, and I sat there 3 hours, I asked for my paper work back, and would go elsewhere and they refused. I think its jsut this office, the other office which they shut down, I was in and out within 5 minutes even during the busy times.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (48556)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Dec 12
God bless the Ontario government, closing down several testing sites about a year ago.
@GardenGerty (162227)
• United States
15 Dec 12
They sound like a mess. You be sure to get plenty of fluids the next few days. Make the appointment the next time. I bet they are more professional. I am amazed that they would not listen when you tried to show them the vein. My platelet people always listen to me. I have good veins, but in one arm the vein is good, and near the surface, then it dips down and runs under where they cannot use it. It does not have to be like you were done today.
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Sorry they put your thru that. I am a hard draw too when I get blood work done my veins like to pop when they try to get blood or even try to put IVs in my arm or hand. I get blood work done every 3 weeks and I know one time I had to get just as much done as you did. I always bruise easily so that's normal for me. Hope this new clinic your going to go to is alot better for you and friendlier people.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
15 Dec 12
That woman would never have had a chance if I were in that situation. I require someone with a lot of patience and sensitivity. I am very picky and panicky when it comes to blood draws, and, as the patient, I have every right to have my needs accommodated.
You just gave me a horrible vision of what the future might look like if I cannot find a good lab where we next relocate to. *Shudders* We've been contemplating a move. Now, I just hope that the new area has some very patient phlebotomy techs. Otherwise, there's going to be a bit of an issue. 
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Then, again... Boyfriend just got back from dealing with a****** landlords, so the entire finding new phlebotomy techs actually is looking pretty good right about now. 
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
15 Dec 12
I wouldn't like those nurses either. Cursing and then being rude. "....Tis the season to be jolly..." (Saracasm) I just hope they don't do this all the time, perhaps they were just having a bad day but then again some people are like this all their lives. That many tubes of blood at once is quite alot, especially if you are anemic? I got a ton taken from me the first few months out of the year and I'm surprised they didn't have to give me a transfusion after all of that. 
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
15 Dec 12
She has a lovely bedside manner for sure NOT. What an attitude to have for someone in that profession, they should be curteous, polite and respectful, indeed she was everything but. I have to have regular blood tests to monitor my thyroid levels, sometimes I have to wait a couple of hours, I have to go to the hospital to get it done, some days they are packed out, other times you can be just lucky and get in quick. I have noticed sometimes I do get bruises afterwards, again it depends on the nurse and how she does it, and if they can find a vein. Is there no way you could complain about her?
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
16 Dec 12
yuck, sounds like you had a rough time. i think i would be looking for another clinic as well. i am pretty fortunate that i live in a large city so there are lots to choose from here. that is a lot of blood that they took. did you feel light headed afterwards? they really should have made you wait. i think i would be complaining to the company about this nurse for sure.
@shaggin (73852)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Wow I dont think I have ever had 10 vials taken before. I know I've had at least 6 though during pregnancy I think it was. I thankfully have very large veins they never have trouble finding a good vein from me. My sister is like you though she has very tiny veins and they are very hard to find and access. They wind up poking her all around and she winds up leaving in such pain.
@SomeCowgirl (32190)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Hopefully the clinic where your doc is will take it correctly. The nurse who took your blood there must've been new and / or easily offended by people making suggestions.
You weren't telling her how to do her job, just showing her which vein they use for you.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
16 Dec 12
I can't stand an inconsiderate medical professional. It's not like you wasn't uncomfortable enough without the comments. I hate getting blood drawn anyway but the person doing can make it a bit more pleasant if they choose to do so. Like being nice would be a great option.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
14 Dec 12
Wow that seems like so much.... hope you feel ok after that. have a great weekend there.
