Help! I Can't Find Veins on Geriatric Patients!

If you draw blood samples from geriatric patients, you'll need some tips on locating hard-to-find veins. This clip discusses how phlebotomists can overcome the challenges in finding and accessing veins on geriatric patients when performing venipuncture procedures, and obtain adequate samples of blood for laboratory testing.

Time Code:
0:00---Help! I Can't Find Veins on Geriatric Patients! intro
0:20---Why geriatric veins are hard to locate
0:44---Rolling veins, collapsing veins, hematoma formation
1:00---Why older veins are prone to hematoma (bruising)
1:35---solutions to finding veins
1:47---using a blood pressure cuff
1:57---hydration
2:18---flexing & hyperextension
2:55---prewarming the site and rotating the wrist
3:11---lower the arm & use smaller volume tubes

[jasminejp]

I struggle with geriatric blood draw, I feel whenever I do get the sample it’s literally like hitting the lotto....

[sianvickers]

I was hoping to find a video with some tips and tricks to help with bleeding from geriatric patients with loose skin. I find that anchoring just doesn't work the same, or maybe it's just all in my head?

[deep]

What about use of vein display instruments

[friendsbehappy]

Plz post a video to cannulate fat babies in cubital and basilic vein

[petuniab.]

I cant send them home telling them to drink water. I work in out patient clinic and my boss rolls her eyes whenever I cannot locate a vein. She also would not order warming stuff.

[shanecarmen]

I have a hard time with black patients. I am not sure why. My coworkers and I once tried for a young black woman and we couldn’t get it. Even black men are a hard stick. Any suggestions

[anilrai]

How to care proper vein in hand ? What I have to do for healthy vein ?