Getting Your Blood Drawn: How You Can Make it Easier!

Phlebotomists are the people who draw blood, usually for lab work. They are typically the last person a patient wants to see. They have a tough job, since nobody likes having their blood taken, and many people are very nervous about it. Until science finds a way to analyze blood without actually removing it from your body though, it is a necessary procedure. There are things you can do to make the whole process a little easier for you though.

Let's go over how a typical venipuncture (the actual procedure) goes. The phlebotomist will have you sit in a chair, and will ask you to verify some information. Typically, they will verify your date of birth, and may ask for the name of your doctor who ordered the blood work. Don't refuse to tell him or her your date of birth...they are not asking to be nosey! The phlebotomist is asking because they want to make sure they have the proper paperwork and labels for your tubes. This is all for your protection. Next, they may ask which arm you prefer to use. If you know that one arm is more difficult, now is the time to speak up! Then, he or she will apply a tourniquet, and touch with one or two fingers. They are feeling for a vein. You can't always see the veins, in fact a lot of times, those little veins you can see are really not good for this procedure. Don't make a fist, or pump your hand. Let your phlebotomist instruct you on what he or she wants you to do.

Once the phlebotomist finds a vein, they will clean the site, and prepare to insert the needle. Let the phlebotomist choose which needle is best suited for you. This is what they do...their only job is to find a vein, and get into that vein. They will know which needle to use. Phlebotomists will nearly always bend to what a patient insists upon, and that's not what is best for you. We (phlebotomists) hear it about 50 times a day-"you have to use a baby needle." What you are referring to is a butterfly. It is not a "baby" needle. You cannot draw an adult's blood with a needle as small as what you would use on a baby. It's probably not even smaller than the regular straight needles they use. It's all perception. No needle hurts more or less than any other typical needle. They all pinch and/or sting a little bit. You wouldn't tell a mechanic what tools to use, and you wouldn't tell a surgeon which scalpel to use, so give your phlebotomist the same respect. It's not unacceptable, however, to inform the phlebotomist (if it's true) that people usually use a butterfly needle on your veins. If your veins tend to be tricky, let them know ahead of time. Follow the instructions given to you by the phlebotomist. Don't forget to BREATHE!

If you are squeamish about blood, then by all means, don't look! Those tubes look like they hold a lot more than they actually do when it's your blood that is filling them up! In reality, most tubes hold around a teaspoon or less of blood. No worries, you will not need a transfusion when they are done! Make a conscious effort to relax, and breathe while the phlebotomist inserts the needle. Be careful not to jump, or pull away when he or she is doing this, it will make the whole process much more difficult for both of you!

After the phlebotomist is done filling the tubes needed, and removes the needle, pay attention to any instructions given to you for after care. Usually the phlebotomist will ask you to hold some pressure on the site for a moment, while they get a bandage ready. Some labs will use some gauze and tape, or an adhesive bandage, and some use a type of bandage called "Co-flex" or "Co-band" along with a piece of gauze. If you are sensitive to adhesives, let the phlebotomist know, and ask if they have Co-flex instead. Most labs have this. It's gauze with a rubbery coating (it can be latex, or latex-free). It holds mild pressure on the bandage, and it won't stick to your skin, only to itself. Don't bend your arm to hold the gauze in place, use one or two fingers from your other hand, and apply firm (not hard!) pressure. Once the tape or bandage is in place, leave this on for about 25 minutes, at least. While you may stop bleeding quickly on the surface, your vein still has a small hole in it, and may continue to bleed under the skin for a short time. Leaving the bandage in place for around a half an hour allows time for a clot to form on the vein, and helps to greatly minimize bruising. Often, when a patient bruises after having their blood drawn, it is because they did not leave the bandage on long enough for a good clot to form. If you have a disorder that causes you to bleed more than most people, or are on a blood thinner, such as Coumadin, you should leave the bandage on longer.

The phlebotomist may ask you one more time to verify some piece of information, like your date of birth, as they label your tubes. Then, you're done...quick and easy! Feel free to ask questions, like how long you can expect results to take, and if there's anything else you need to do before you leave the lab.

Remember, the phlebotomist is an important part of your healthcare team, and is a professional. They don't do what they do because they want to hurt you, and they certainly deserve to be treated with as much respect as any other healthcare professional!