Etiquette ?: Docs/Nurses

[PrincessKitty1]

After that experiance (about 7 years ago), I always warn whomever is taking blood or putting in an IV that I'm a tough stick. Is that OK? I don't mind if it takes a try or 2 (it almost always takes 2+ tries), but it occured to me that maybe the nurse or doctor doesn't like being told that? Maybe I'm just paranoid.

.

I always appreciate it when people tell me they are a "hard stick," or "my veins always blow," or "my veins roll," or "my right arm is usually better," or "a pediatric needle works best." I thank people when they tell me!

The only thing I don't appreciate is having people tell me where to stick them. I'm pretty good at starting IVs, and I have started numerous IVs in people with absolutely no problem after being told they were a hard stick. I really dislike it when peole say things like, "I won't let you start it in my hands, because nobody can ever get it in my hands." Tell me your hand veins roll or blow or whatever, but please don't tell me I can't stick them!

P.S., the recommendation to drink lots of water and be well hydrated when you know you will need a blood draw or IV is very good advice.

 

[craps7or11]

I am a hard stick in my left arm for blood. I let them know every time they are taking blood and no one seems to mind.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Except for when I had surgery and no choice about the big needle I insist on a "butterfly" needle because I know it takes one stick. What the phlebotomist dont like about it is the small bore needle takes longer to get the blood out into the tubes.

Butterfiles are considerably more expensive than regular needles, so many labs do not like to use them for that reason. Butterflies come in different bores just like needles, but should be used for blood draws or very short-term IVs (a few hours) only since the needle has to be left in the vein with a butterfly. (With IV catheters, the needle is retracted as soon as the IV has been started so there is just a flexible tube in the vein, no metal needle.)

When I'm doing a blood draw (rather than starting an IV) I ALWAYS use a butterfly. And I always use the smallest bore that is practical (of course, most of my phlebotomy experience is with children so I am used to using tiny needles!).

 

[dementia412]

I have the same problem OP... when I had my dd3 I had to get an IV in my hand... 8 tries including one that his the bone (OMFG, that is pain) to get it in... they had three people try before it worked. I always let them know upfront that it will be difficult. (same for my three kids, their veins will just collapse at the slightest poke sometimes)

 

[Cindyluwho]

I'm just the opposite! I've got easy veins and they love to spurt. I usually warn the nurse ahead of time, and the nurses who do my thyroid blood draw every 3-4 months know me. I had the misfortune of spraying a nurse in the face when she tried to draw blood and she went off!! She insisted that I have a blood test for HIV/AIDS. This was before I had my daughter, so over 12 years ago. I really try to remember now to warn them.

 

[CEDmom]

I sympothize with you because I have the same problem. I've actually passed out from being stuck so many times - had the smelling salts and everything. I'd definitely tell them - if it's possible for them to get a lab tech to put it in that would be the best since I don't usually have trouble with them - I guess it's because that's all they do and they're really good at it.

Good luck with your surgery.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'm just the opposite! I've got easy veins

me too. My Mom was a Nurse and she used to threaten to bring me into the hospital with her as human IV training specimin.

The barely need to even put that rubber thing around my arm to get a good vein.

I hope everything goes well for you.

 

[Skatermom23]

Hum, I never thought telling them would offend them?? I have difficult to locate veins and the one they always seem to go for "rolls" just as they jab it. I always tell them once I see they have located that particular vein. Since I started telling them, I have had less misses!

 

[Saphire]

bekkiz, best wishes for your surgery tomorrow, I hope everything goes smoothly for you! I also hope that after reading all these great replies you feel more confident about speaking up. You are the best advocate for your own medical care, and there is nothing wrong with assisting the team by speaking up and telling then about your history. Most medical professionals will appreciate it. Good Luck!

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

bekkiz--I wouldn't feel bad about telling them you're a tough stick. I am extremely hard to get blood from because 1)I have incredibly tiny veins and 2) I am extremely needlephobic, so I tend to squirm and scream and sometimes get rather hystierical when somebody comes at me with any sharp, pointy object. I have always told the dr/nurse up front that if they're going to stick me the need somebody who very skilled at doing so, as well as a butterfly needle (which is smaller and seems not to bother me as much).

I'm sure drs/nurses hear "I'm a hard stick" all the time.

TOV

 

[Aimeedyan]

I think 99% of them appreciate the head's up and those that don't, well, I tell them anyways =)

They usually get a person from the infusion center to get my IV going. The nurse sometimes will try once and then call but usually they just call immediately. Those nurses do it day in and day out and are really great at getting me the first time

 

[wilderness01]

I never mind when someone tells me they are a hard stick. Acutally I am grateful.

 

[iamsorcerermickey]

I am also a hard stick.

I don't mind the needles, but after one time, 3 different nurses, they tried 10 times right arm, 12 times left arm, 7 times left hand, 2 times right hand. They finally decided if they couldn't get it the next time they were going to try my feet. Needless to say I left there a little shaky lol.

I always let them know now and request a pediatric needle upfront. I don't care if they are the best of the best. I will not pay for both needles.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

The only thing I don't appreciate is having people tell me where to stick them. I'm pretty good at starting IVs, and I have started numerous IVs in people with absolutely no problem after being told they were a hard stick. I really dislike it when peole say things like, "I won't let you start it in my hands, because nobody can ever get it in my hands." Tell me your hand veins roll or blow or whatever, but please don't tell me I can't stick them!
.

I never thought it was rude, but i do do this. I will not let anyone draw blood or do IVs in my arm. Im not rude about it, and most people dont have a problem..I wont even let anyone look at the arms

 

[Cool-Beans]

Some people are hard to stick. But I have often found that people who are bad at it tell the all the patients they have, "bad veins."

Patients are always mentioning that someone told them they had bad veins. I take it with a grain of salt.

It can't hurt (and certainly isn't bad manners!) to mention that you've been told that, but it won't help, either. The person who is inserting whatever it is will either be able to do it or they won't.

 

[wide awake]

Now I wonder. I've never been stuck more than once, but I am very squeamish...reading this thread made me shaky, and I've fainted during a blood draw more than once. I always tell them I am a big baby, and that if I'm having a hard time it is not their fault. They always seem to appreciate it and will oftentimes adjust the chair so I'm prone or do their best to calm me down, keep me distracted, etc...I would be a basket case if it took more than one stick.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I am a former nurse turned drafting technician (strange career change I know). I could never draw blood to save my life and I know it was all a mental thing. BUT, I could give a painless injection. I had patients request me for allergy shots. Go figure.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I appreciate the warning. It is nice to have a heads up, and a less experienced nurse can go get a nurse with more experience or a nurse with a special talent for IV starts. Some hospitals have special IV nurses who are specially trained and certified in IV sticks. We had one where I used to work, and she was awesome.

I worked with one nurse in the ER and she was a mega witch - mean as the day is long! When a pt would give her the heads up, she would give them the same speech - "I have been trained to do my job! I do my job well! Let me do my job! I don't need you telling me how to do my job!"

And that ER nurse sounds like a real tool.

 

[goofygirl]

As someone who draws blood on the job, I really do appreciate it when a patient warns me that they are a "hard stick". I even like it when they tell me where a good spot to draw is!

I don't take offense at all. I appreciate the warning!

 

[momz]

I think it is fine to tell your concerns to the nurse. But please remember that if he/she misses, it is NOT because they wanted to miss, it is NOT because they are mean, it is NOT because they are incompetent, it is NOT because they want you to have more pain, etc.... misses happen, I hate it when people carry on and carry on insult after insult, when the nurse is trying to do her job, trying to help the patient. good luck with your surgery, hope all goes well. the IV stick should be the easy part, it's the surgeon who has the more difficult task really.