Health Centre

[Matheous-2]

My local centre has two groups of GPs- two Practice Nurses and miscellaneous receptionists. Problem is, because of the nurses questionable skill in collecting a blood sample, I would like to change to the 'other' half of the practise. How can I set this in motion?
I have to say, the nurse in question is very nice as a person, but on the last occasion, she had four attempts on successfully collecting a blood sample....
Usually she can get in two attempts, but I thought four was just ridiculous- this left both arms bruised, and I don't bruise easily.... What would you do?

[Sqad]

How do you know that the "other halve's" nurses would do any better as clearly you have difficult veins?

[nungate]

My daughter has the same problem, it's not the nurses of the phlebotomists it's probably your veins. She had a belter the last time she had bloods taken.

[Matheous-2]

I had a blood test once when my usual was on holiday....
I do have very visible veins....

[2sp_]

You have my sympathies, I seem to have no veins in my left arm at all (I'm sure I do really or it would have fallen off by now).

[2sp_]

...and to answer your actual question - can you not just phone or go in and ask to register with the other practice?

I'm sure you wouldn't have to give a reason...

[Matheous-2]

I am now thinking along the lines of- would AV light make things any easier for a nurse?.......or perhaps decent desk lamp which, if positioned at right angle to the arm, should show the slightest 'bump' in the skin....?

[Matheous-2]

2sp- sounds like an idea, but, I think they might tell me that the practice is ' full'...

[2sp_]

You could maybe ask your GP or the nurse the next time you see them. I'm lucky as I have a massive vein in my right arm, so I just have to have any bloods taken from there.

Can't be easy for you or for anyone taking blood from you.

[whiskeryron]

See the nurse again who had 4 attempts & explain that it is nothing personal but it is quite traumatic & you do not want the same thing to happen again & is there a way out of this.

WR.

[woofgang]

I would go and ask to speak to the practice manager or your GP and explain the problem. Put it that you are not complaining but wonder what you can do to make it easier all round. I am sure that the nurse in question doesn't like having to do 4 attempts.

[woofgang]

the fact that they are visible doesn't make them easy. Some older people have veins like snakes but they still aren't easy to get blood from

[Matheous-2]

Thanks Wolfgang- I guess I now fall into the 'older' category....:(

[Matheous-2]

Woofgang- that should be...sorry!

[cathfromsaron]

IMHO it's your veins fault too!

some people are terrible bleeders!

[Matheous-2]

Would any kind of arm workout- pre-visit be of any advantage? If so -what?

[woofgang]

me too Matheous

[woofgang]

depends which is why I suggested that you discuss it at the docs. Keeping the arm warm can help and maybe clenching and unclenching the fist a few times just before before the blood is taken. Some surgeries also have on member of staff who is very good at bloods (its a skill) and will make sure that you get that person if they know there is a problem.

[cathfromsaron]

hydration can help too, dehydrated veins and blood tend to be tougher to extract! x

[237SJ]

Were you dehydrated at the time? I`ve heard that can affect the taking of blood. It`s not always the patient`s veins at fault. My mother needed a blood test recently and I turned up at her house to find a foreign agency nurse prodding her with a needle. The nurse turned to me and said "I`ve tried three times. Should I have another go, only I`m damaging the vein". I had to get my mum (who was in pain from a fractured pelvis) in my car and down to the health centre where the phlebotomist had absolutely no trouble at all taking the blood. Dreadful.

[Matheous-2]

237SJ- Thats a very good question, which really should be a new issue here, however- would poor hydration contribute to hypertension??
I have been guilty of that in the recent past....