Worried about contamination while drawing blood. Please help

[sookie]

Risk was more to the healthcare worker, not to you.

I would have washed the area but not worried after that.

She was more worried about helping you stop bleeding and was probably flustered not having her helper there. Not the correct thing to do though.

:-(

Honestly - if I were in that situation, I would have handed you something so you could have applied pressure to the place that was bleeding while I found a set of gloves and a proper bandage. But I would not have drawn the blood until I had all my stuff together - or without gloves. I am just used to that. But since she doesn't do this on a regular basis (and probably never had to) it is hard to get into that frame of mind. Oops.

 

[jaminmd]

Is it twisted that I laughed at that part?

Not at all.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You will live....

 

[jeffjs]

Don't let other folks panic you...you'll be fine!

 

[disney1990]

Today I went to my endocrinologist for a check up and labs for my thyroid. Since we have had so much snow my nurse was out so the doctor drew my blood. After she had stuck the needle in and was drawing blood, she said crap she forgot to get a cotton ball. She did not have gloves on, and she used her finger to apply pressure to the puncture site and stop the bleeding in my arm after she removed the needle until she could reach around to grab a cotton ball. I didn't say anything to her, but I am freaking out. Could I have caught some disease from that? My husband is saying the risk was to her not me. Any advice? I don't want to make a big deal out of it to her but I can't stop worrying.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Your husband is right.

 

[scrapquitler]

Today I went to my endocrinologist for a check up and labs for my thyroid. Since we have had so much snow my nurse was out so the doctor drew my blood. After she had stuck the needle in and was drawing blood, she said crap she forgot to get a cotton ball. She did not have gloves on, and she used her finger to apply pressure to the puncture site and stop the bleeding in my arm after she removed the needle until she could reach around to grab a cotton ball. I didn't say anything to her, but I am freaking out. Could I have caught some disease from that? My husband is saying the risk was to her not me. Any advice? I don't want to make a big deal out of it to her but I can't stop worrying.

Thanks in advance for your advice

The gloves are to protect HER from your blood, not vice versa.

 

[dis-happy]

My story should give you a smile. I once had a blood draw by someone who must have been a phlebotomist in training. After she stuck me and drew the tube she realized there was no cotton ball/bandaid ready. So she had me hold the needle while it was still in my arm (using my free hand) while she ran across the large room to grab the rest of the stuff. I had gone through so many blood draws at that point (cancer treatment) I was pretty unblinking but in hindsight it still makes me laugh.

 

[15isto2]

About a year ago a nurse came to my home very early on a Sat morning to do an exam on me for an insurance policy I was applying for. When she took my blood she didnt use gloves she said it was easier for her that way. i was still half asleep I think cause it was very early but later on it irked me that she didnt wear gloves. I mean she didnt cover it with her finger or anything but still, that shouldnt be up to the nurse should it, for whats easier. I thought gloves were standard.

As several people have stated the gloves re not for your protecton. It's much easer to start an IV or draw blood when not wearing gloves as you "feel" things better. I wear gloves for most IV's but if I have a really difficult incertion I may choose not to wear them which puts me at risk not my patient.