Drawing Blood From Problem Patients

Phlebotomists know problem patients present real challenges to delivering good customer service. Grumpy, demanding, crabby, and stubborn patients take an extra measure of professionalism and poise. When healthcare professionals understand the one common denominator every problem patient has, caring for them becomes infinitely easier.

[toreycarlyle]

I denied a patient treatment today for the first time as a dental hygienist. She is rescheduled now for another day. I said I was having a hard time regaining my composure (physically) and my hands were shaking from the extreme confrontation and I wasn’t able to clinically perform. Apologized and rescheduled her with her preferred hygienist. She left unsatisfied. I feel horrible about it. I’ve been a hygienist for 10 years, have had many problem patients, but always have overcome. Not today. My verbage, facial expressions and demeanor remained calm and solution oriented.

[firebirdheats]

I think it's important to consider that all of these reactions can be stress responses to the anticipation/fear of having blood drawn.

[tsechejak]

The patient or customer is always right, is a detriment to free market. In a free market the transaction is mutually respectful! If there are customer complaints it is your duty to objectively assess if the problem is you and your service and if it is not anything wrong with you, respectfully ask the customer to see the problem is theirs not yours and if still a problem cease then business with that individual

[tsechejak]

Be professional is the friendly way of saying, train as best as you can beforehand and suck it up don’t flake or wilt. Humbly learn from coworkers and retain info they tell you first go around so they don’t have to constantly repeat themselves. If you are asking them too often you are stressed or anxious and not focused on your task and that’s a liability in healthcare and you may need to find a less busy shift at night to volunteer and help and observe nurses or other blood draws and IVs so that you can have more confidence in a busier shift. Asking too many quiz better than not asking enough but you don’t want to destroy the workflow of the experienced staff who are training you. Respect them when they say they need you to step back. That means they are calmly and professionally telling you they need all their focus and can’t help you. Unless you are military and getting hospital training in a setting that has simulated work experience, you have to learn on the job with healthcare, meaning you better suck it up fast

[oldmikey]

Nine out of Ten poke and wiggle. Many can't get blood until they remove the needle because they have passed through the vein. And yes, recently had someone miss the vein completely! The ones that draw blood the best always seem to leave :(. I am one who requires monthly blood work as I have a blood platelet problem. I am left bruised and stressed almost there really anybody left who can draw blood without causing severe pain?

[dantedeloden]

ok so ive been dealt a slew of health issues and diagnoses recently, paralysis, heart issues, etc. im trying to get blood work done for regular checkups PLUS cardiovascular disease to find possible heart conditions that are why im already in heart failure. ive been to quest diagnostic 3 times now. each time i went was with a different staff group due to this. and yet i still havent had my blood drawn. what do i do now. i need these tests done. im gonna die of heart failure before i even find out the underlying disease most likely at this rate.

[andreimedvedev]

I somewhat disagree with your statement. Imagine a garage where you tell a mechanic that he has only one chance to fix an unknown problem. Or a police officer you are telling that he had only one chance to find a missing person, or to handcuff you, or fingerprint you. It’s because of the spineless “professionals” in a health care field, we have groomed the demanding and cranky patients. All you need is to be affirming and confident, and be able to set the boundaries of interaction

[hadfivanbuuren]

this video is so helpfull thanks uuuu !