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12-03-2012 at 8:31 AM
somebuddie...
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somebuddiesgettingmarried is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 2:03 PMNewbie

Advice for dealing with HORRENDOUS appointment

Morning ladies! Very occasional poster here. 

I had an appointment on Friday for a 3hr GTT (since I failed the 1hr). VERY long story short- they wound up sticking me 12 times for 4 blood draws and the needling skills of 1 nurse in particular were REALLY poor. She did everything wrong- didn't wear gloves (until I asked her to), re-used the same needle multiple times (until I asked her not to), didn't swab each site before inserting needle (until I reminded her).... it goes on and on. 
 
The kicker- on the last draw, they had a "trainee" do it, who managed to hit the vein on the first try but then got so excited and was bragging to the nurse, that she pulled the needle out of my arm and got blood all over the place- even stuck herself. She started to cry- the nurse freaked out and they left me with the tourniquet in place-squirting blood all over the place!! (Now I look like a beat-up junkie- guess it's good it's sweater season.)
 
Now, they want me to come back to do a HIV test (which I am sure is no concern) because of institutional policy. I have to go there tonight anyway for our birthing class but I honestly don't want to.  On top of that, I'm starting to question whether or not I'm comfortable continuing with this practice. 

The OB is FABULOUS- his staff are questionable. I don't think I'll have too many more appointments requiring blood, etc. and the staff in the office will NOT be the Labor and Delivery staff (with the exception of the OB). Given that I'm 29 weeks, I'm reluctant to start with a new practice at this stage.  
 
So- what do you guys think? 

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12-03-2012 at 8:37 AM
birdiecat
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Have you talked with your OB in person about what happened?  I would.

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12-03-2012 at 8:53 AM
eddy92482
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I agree in letting the OB know what happened. Also, ask if there is a lab or somewhere else you can get your blood drawn. I haven't had any of my blood drawn at my OB's office, all at another lab. Good Luck!! And sorry that you had such a difficult time, I would have been furious!!

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12-03-2012 at 9:55 AM
jkuhmann
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That is ridiculous.  I would have left and re-did the test elsewhere, quite honestly.  I've had all my blood work done at the hospital lab and have been very happy with them (I'm a major needle-phobe).   You definitely need to tell your OB what happened, and if you don't want to get your blood work done there anymore, request a lab referral and they should be able to give you one.  If you want to continue with your lab work in office, I would request that that girl not do your draws anymore; that is certainly not a outrageous request after your experience.  Good luck!!!

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12-03-2012 at 10:28 AM
jd614
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so terrible. i also did my 3 hour GTT friday so can sympathize with how brutal it is to begin with!! at 29 wks pregnant I would be reluctant to switch, esp since you love the OB so much. Like pp have said-maybe any other blood work you can do via a lab that your insurance covers, like quest or something.  I would actually refuse the HIV test. They have already done one (or should have ) in early pregnancy and have taken more than enough blood to test for it anyway! Its ridiculous. Hang in there...not much longer and keep focusing on the fact that you love the OB and the L&D staff will be different, which is what is important.
 
12-03-2012 at 10:45 AM
Rynleigh
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Holy crap. I would have put in an official complaint with the location, and then reported the entire situation through whatever medical reporting offices available in your state. Let the OB know, and insist you need a different lab to go to for all future draws.... That's batshit nuts. 

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12-03-2012 at 1:07 PM
JuliaBug
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That is completely ridiculous. I would not have any more blood drawn at that office if I were you. I would have the HIV test done at an outside lab. If you like your OB though, I probably wouldn't change practices. 

PPs are right, too. Talk to your OB and let him know what happened. His poor staff is going to cost him business if he doesn't correct it. 


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12-03-2012 at 2:25 PM
MrsW0615
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Wow, that is absolutely disgusting!  I would have yelled at that nurse.  Definitely talk to your OB and explain the situation.  

Is this HIV test for the safety of the nurse?  If so, you can refuse the test if you really, really don't want to do it.  However, being on the other side of things, I would be really worried and upset if the patient refused the test.  It is totally your right, though.  

If you love your OB, don't switch.  What happened to you is absolutely asinine and gross, and goes against the code of ethics.  I think if they refuse to do something about the situation, then possibly look into another practice.  Give them a chance to reprimand the staff for their negligence and to find a way to make sure you won't be exposed to those particular people again. 


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12-03-2012 at 6:01 PM
bdutton000...
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You can decline the HIV test it is just procedure they have to follow when there is a stick. I would report it to the OB though. As far as the trainee sticking herself it is one of those things. I read ( and had multiple nursing instructors, nurses and doc tell me) it is part of the job. At some point and time most, as in as high as 90%, of the heath care profession ( those in direct contact with pts) will have stuck themselves, kinda scary. It is also on of the highest reported work related injuries. I would be very worried if the nurse who wasn't using gloves was "training" the new girl.

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12-03-2012 at 9:51 PM
smile55k
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As someone in the health care field, I find this absolutely disgusting! There are so many health code and OSHA violations, and they need to be reported for the safety of all patients and workers there! Definitely say something to your OB or an office manager, and please don't refuse the HIV test. It is important to the nurse who stuck herself to know that you are clean, for her own peace of mind! If it were you, you would want that peace of mind too.

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12-04-2012 at 7:30 AM
2moms2b
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It may just be me, but I keep asking myself did they even ask you if you were ok with a trainee?  I would be highly irritated if they did not ask me if I was ok with this.  I hate blood drawn like will get light headed so if the person doing it misses and has to go at it again, I feel so sick.  I would have had a sh!t fit if I found out it was a trainee even if she did manage to hit the vein.  I mean obviously she was surprised she did with her mess she made afterwards.

Also the no gloves thing makes me want to puke.  The nurse is dealing with someone else's fluids.  Come on, protect yourself lady.  Not to mention protect your patient from your germs!

I would totally do what pp have said and at least contact the office manager.  I know in my OB's office while they have a lab onsite, it is run by an actual lab and not my doctors office.  That employee is not a direct employee of my OB but the lab so make sure you find out if that is a direct employee of the office or a lab that just "rents" space from your doctor.    If they are an employee of the Lab then also file a complaint with them. 

On the HIV test, it's a simple enough test and if you want you can have it taken at another lab.  I would totally do it just for peace of mind and for peace of mind of the trainee.  It wasn't completely her fault what happened and more the person training her.   The only thing I would say is make sure the lab or office is paying for the test and you do not get a bill for it.  


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