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quick blood test question

WolfSong2000
Posts: 1,736 Forumite


okay, this is actually 2 questions, neither of which are particularly serious - just out of curiosity as I had a blood test today and the nurses conduct raised some questions.
1) Do nurses still use antispetic wipes before drawing blood? I had a blood test today (took 2 nurses to do it as the first couldn't find a vein :rolleyes:), but of the two nurses that tried, neither of them used a wipe beforehand...I have blood tests fairly regularly, and in the past was told the wipes were used to stop any bacteria lurking on the skins surface from getting into the blood stream. Not overly concerned about this, but curious...first time it happened I put it down to the nurses incompetence - she was nice enough, but couldn't find a vein in either arm, so I suggested the back of my hand (there's a first time for everything, right?). To her credit, it didn't hurt at all, but she tried both hands with no success, and was visibly nervous to the point of almost shaking when doing so. She then gave up and told me to visit another nurse. Luckily, I could be seen straightaway, but the other nurse also didn't use an antiseptic wipe...just a weird thing I noticed. lol.
2) The reason I went in for a blood test was to check my thyroid levels, as I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) while on holiday in the USA, and the doctor also tested my thyroid levels and noted they were very low, despite the fact that I'd just argued with my doctor in the UK to have the dose upped). Anyhow, American doctor put me on the pill to help with the PCOS, and told me to get a blood test to check thyroid levels, but to make sure I mentioned that I was on the pill as this would affect the blood test results.
So, when I went for blood test today I mentioned to the nurses that I was on the pill as well as taking medication already for my thyroid. Didn't notice what the first nurse put down, but the second (first nurse didn't give me a form to take to the second one), but the first one only mentioned my thryoid meds on the form. When I queried whether the fact I was taking the pill would affect the results as this is what I'd been told by a doctor previously, the nurse replied she didn't know, and still failed to write it down.
Now, worst scenario is, doctor will say blood tests are invalid because the nurse didn't write this down and I'll have to go for blood tests again, but like I said, just curious, so if anyone can shed some light on the situation, I'd be very greatful...not asking for medical advice or anything, just clarification.
1) Do nurses still use antispetic wipes before drawing blood? I had a blood test today (took 2 nurses to do it as the first couldn't find a vein :rolleyes:), but of the two nurses that tried, neither of them used a wipe beforehand...I have blood tests fairly regularly, and in the past was told the wipes were used to stop any bacteria lurking on the skins surface from getting into the blood stream. Not overly concerned about this, but curious...first time it happened I put it down to the nurses incompetence - she was nice enough, but couldn't find a vein in either arm, so I suggested the back of my hand (there's a first time for everything, right?). To her credit, it didn't hurt at all, but she tried both hands with no success, and was visibly nervous to the point of almost shaking when doing so. She then gave up and told me to visit another nurse. Luckily, I could be seen straightaway, but the other nurse also didn't use an antiseptic wipe...just a weird thing I noticed. lol.
2) The reason I went in for a blood test was to check my thyroid levels, as I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) while on holiday in the USA, and the doctor also tested my thyroid levels and noted they were very low, despite the fact that I'd just argued with my doctor in the UK to have the dose upped). Anyhow, American doctor put me on the pill to help with the PCOS, and told me to get a blood test to check thyroid levels, but to make sure I mentioned that I was on the pill as this would affect the blood test results.
So, when I went for blood test today I mentioned to the nurses that I was on the pill as well as taking medication already for my thyroid. Didn't notice what the first nurse put down, but the second (first nurse didn't give me a form to take to the second one), but the first one only mentioned my thryoid meds on the form. When I queried whether the fact I was taking the pill would affect the results as this is what I'd been told by a doctor previously, the nurse replied she didn't know, and still failed to write it down.
Now, worst scenario is, doctor will say blood tests are invalid because the nurse didn't write this down and I'll have to go for blood tests again, but like I said, just curious, so if anyone can shed some light on the situation, I'd be very greatful...not asking for medical advice or anything, just clarification.

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Comments
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When I have had blood tests recently they don't use antiseptic wipes first - hope you feel betterKeep the Faith:cool:0
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Can't help with the second question but antiseptic wipes haven't been used for quite some time.
Hope it works out for you.Lost my soulmate so life is empty.
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander0 -
1) Personally I do clean the skin before I take blood (in a hospital setting). However, for a healthy person, who is having blood taken in a community setting, it probably isn't necesary.
2) Blood tests give absolute values... the results are returned to a doctor who is responsible for interpereting them. Interpretation involves taking account of relevant drugs, so as long as they know what meds you are on then that's fine.
What is put on the form generally isn't that important... its only really useful as a way of letting the lab know that you expect a bizarre result (eg known anaemic patient,patient on chemo, renal failure) so the lab don't panic and assume a machine accuracy problem.0 -
Thanks for the advice guys...only curious about the wipes as I've been having blood tests at various surgeries (either the one I used or my one at uni) every few months for almost 2 years now, and this was the first time they hadn't used a wipe. Wasn't particularly bothered, just curious to know if things had changed!
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Keith DC - thank you especially for your advice...the "interpretation" aspect is very interesting to me, and explains a lot re: particular doctor's behavior.
Also, as an aside (and another question!) how would I go about asking for a copy of my medical records? Just curious as a) want to see if my uni practice will accept the records from my current practice if I hand them over directly (kept saying they never arrived by post, despite being sent 3 times, and then refused the fax from current practice?). I've tried just asking for a copy from my uni practice, but they refused to hand it over.
Gosh, I'm full of questions today. lol. Thanks again for the help you guys - I really appreciate it!0 -
I think you have a right to your records and you should demand that they send you copies- if you have swapped surgeries the records should be sent automatically I thinkKeep the Faith:cool:0
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I think you have a right to your records and you should demand that they send you copies- if you have swapped surgeries the records should be sent automatically I think
Problem is one surgery is in England, the other in Scotland...they might as well be on different continents when it comes to trying to sort things out. Had an issue with my bank (Lloyds TSB) where they claimed that the Scottish and English branches were separate and therefore couldn't close my (English) account when I was in Scotland *rolls eyes*.
I think I'll ask the Scottish surgery again when I go back to University next month...wasn't sure if there was anything I had to do other than requesting them?0 -
Torry_Quine wrote: »Can't help with the second question but antiseptic wipes haven't been used for quite some time.
Really? I just had a blood test last week and the phlebotomist used one on me.Cogito, ergo sum.0 -
sometimes they use wipes sometimes they don't - it doesn't matter if they don't. I inject insulin and don't swab the area beforehand.
I work in a surgery and have never heard of the pill interfering with a thyroid test it would interfere with a hormone test which you would have had in USA to test for PCOS (along with a scan) so perhaps the USA doc meant for you to let them know you are on the pill if you a hormone test - would be FSH/LH.
As for access to medical records - yes you can ask for copies of records but there is a charge. If your paper notes have already been sent to your new GP and not arrived then they would only be able to give you printouts from computer system which will just be the stuff that they have put on - the charge for this would normally be £10. I would imagine this is what was faxed thru because they don't have your notes anymore.
It can take 6 weeks for notes to come through, you register at new GP but it can take a week for it all to be processed, your old GP gets a request for the notes, they have to printout everything from the computer (this is probably a weekly task for a reception so that's another week gone), send them to their local health authority who then have to process them and send them on to your new health authority. They then process them and send them to your new GP.A very busy Yummy Mummy to a 1 year old gorgeous boy :smileyhea
Where does the time go? :think:0 -
Nothing has ever been mentioned about me being on the mini pill when I've had my thyroid tests
Also, they use wipes on my son when doing blood tests but not me.
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Similar situation..im a long term blood donor, The staff there take great pains to cleans and swap the injection site. They always get the needle in first time and with no bruising. Nurses on general hospital wards seem to be particularly unskilled in this area.0
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