Sadly in this occasion the phlebotomist failed to provide the expected standard of blood letting. After using a multi patient use tourniquet which I believe are 'banned' in most trusts As per infection control policies, and after multiple palpations with a finger, she failed to clean the area before inserting the needle into my vein. She was not concentrating in her job and did not warn me that she was about to insert the needle. When I asked her wasn't she supposed to clean the area first she replied they did sometimes! I replied 'sometimes?'. She replied 'well, if there's a mark or something'. I told her I was a nurse and that I knew the area should always be cleaned and that she'd just introduced a needle into my vein. She did then apologise and said as it was Monday morning she wasn't quite with it yet and showed me the alcohol wipe she'd had ready but failed to use. I am generally fit and heathy and rarely bruise but have been left with a fairly substantial bruise this time ( I accept this is a risk) but I am very concerned that this does not happen again, particularly in immuno compromised patients.
"Phlebotomy service poor in this occasion"
About: Halton Hospital Halton Hospital Runcorn WA7 2DA
Posted via nhs.uk
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››