Blood Tests

[emmie]

should the phlebotomist wear gloves when taking your blood, as this is the second time the same person wasn't wearing them, i asked and he said it wasn't always necessary, or that they can't feel the vein if wearing gloves?

[Mamyalynne]

sqad, yes you are right but it is very off putting and people get nervous enough with all sorts of tales about infections etc - I feel in that job and similar standards should be high.


I am not a fan of living life in a bubble, indeed I made mud pies and popped tar bubbles with the rest but in a Hospital, clean hands are the least we can expect.

[emmie]

this is in a very specialist NHS hospital, where cleanliness is supposedly paramount. I have taken on board what you said, i was just surprised that is all.

[DaisyNonna]

Why not ask the hospital?

[Peter Pedant]

If you have doubt to cleanliness you should be raising it at the time to be honest. Then at least 'sister' or whoever is "in charge" can see if the finger nails are dirty.

They always wear gloves for me as I am immunosuppressed from CT
and to the uneducated who cant read proper that means HIV+

I never mastered the knack of putting arterial lines up with gloves
but I admit I am in the minority...

[jd_1984]

Constant sanitation, and definitely between patients, tends to be the norm.
I have had 3 bloods done in the last 2 years and no gloves worn by nurse.

[emmie]

i didn't the first time as i wasn't feeling well and turned away, it wasn't until i turned back and realised how dirty his nails were. I didnt realise the second time until was seated and he had done that it was the same bloke, the tests were some time apart. I am not generally squeamish over blood tests, but for some time now i can't seem to look..

[Sqad]

PP....I am one of the "uneducated"....what is CT and what has it to do with HIV+?

[anneasquith]

'' putting arterial lines up with gloves '' what ?

[Peter Pedant]

Sqad - get real daddio
CT is chemotherapy - lymphoma

and I was lymphopenic enough to get PCP erm pneumocystis carinii
(v bad- - - people can die from this)

- but as with all these things: I live, so it was all worth while....
but remain signifivantly immunosuppressed.

[Sqad]

PP....Got yer now.

[Peter Pedant]

anne - arterial lines with gloves

techno-speak in case geeks have tuned in and are reading

[bednobs]

pp i am confused - arterial lines are very uncommon, unless you mean a central line?

[anneasquith]

techno speak. PP ? have you inserted arterial lines ?

[LazyGun]

I understood PP to be talking about his experiences in inserting arterial lines, and his experience in having blood drawn.

For phlebotomy, gloves could be considered optional except for known high-risk cases, and a known HIV + patient would be considered high risk;

And regardless of HIV status, one should be wearing gloves when inserting an arterial line :)

[anneasquith]

is/was PP a doctor ?

[LazyGun]

I has assumed so.

[Peter Pedant]

Please ........ my occupation is slum Landlord.....

[LazyGun]

Ahh ok :)

[anneasquith]

a slum landlord who inserts arterial lines :) ( with gloves )

[Sqad]

Lazygun....sorry...I still don't understand.

Is PP replying as a patient, a doctor or both?