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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To perhaps complain about this phlebotomist?

70 replies

DawnOfTheDeementedDead · 26/10/2011 20:13

DS3 is 21months old, and had to have some blood tests taken today. I had to make an appointment to go to the hospital to see the specialist childrens phlebotomist as he's so young.

We got there, she looked at DS's arm and then said she wouldn't freeze the area as his veins looked quite delicate. He needed six vials taking altogether. Obviously he screamed when the needle was put in his arm, but i held him still and he didn't wriggle. She managed to get four vials filled and then the blood stopped coming out, so she said she'd try his other arm.

I asked if she would numb his arm this time and she said no, it was just a little jab. She stuck the needle in and really rooted about, DS was screaming all this time. I held him as still as i possibly could, but he was incredibly upset. She managed to get another vial out and the needle started slipping out, she thrust it back in, but again it came out and DS started bleeding quite a lot - blood was dripping off the underside of his elbow.

I asked her to stop, and she muttered under her reath 'Oh for Gods sake' and pulled the needle out. She then said she needed the full six vials and so she'd have to jab him again. I asked again for her to numb the area and she said she could as it'd mean spraying the stuff on broken skin and that would hurt more.

So because DS desperately needed these bloods doing i agreed. Again he obviously screamed. As we left she said 'Oh he'll probably bruise, but thats what he gets for wriggling'

WTF did she expect? He's nowt more than a baby and she's jabbing him with poxy needles! I found her whole attitude and manner really nasty - really not suited to working with children at all.

Would i be unreasonable to put in a complaint about her?

OP posts:

OliviaTwist · 26/10/2011 20:15

I think do it, else nothing will change. Horrible way to behave.

Your poor DS

Shakey1500 · 26/10/2011 20:16

YANBU. Poor little mite :(

And some for you.

mousesma · 26/10/2011 20:19

Yes complain her actions would have been unnecessarily unkind for an adult patient let alone a child.

crazynannawitchbitch · 26/10/2011 20:21

I was a Paed Phlebotomist 18 years ago,and in my training,I was told in under 3s',2 attempts only...then get a doctor to do it. I don't know if things have changed where that's concerned,but common sense would say a baby distressed where blood is running down the arm is a failed blood test. As for her mutterings and comments...completely uncalled for and unprofessional. I think it's a given that working with sick children demands acaring approach. I am actually livid...YANBU,please say something. I am actually really angry on your behalf

Poor little fella...is he ok? It's going to take a long time for him to trust a med.

SacreLao · 26/10/2011 20:22

What an awful attitude.

Sirzy · 26/10/2011 20:22

Her attitude sounds a bit off, but I thought putting things on could make it harder to find the veins making it just as bad in the long run anyway?

Having to have so much blood taken is always going to be a horrible experience unfortunatly :(

belledechocchipcookie · 26/10/2011 20:22

Good god. I trained as a paediatric nurse so have seen more then a little blood taken from children and I'm shocked at how your child has been treated. She's caused unnecessary distress to a small child. I'm almost in tears from just reading this, I do hope you're both OK. Please do make a complaint. The policy here is that children's blood tests are only taken from qualified children's nurses, normally they will have a play specialist present who will be trying to distract the child (if there's one availiable). He should have been given numbing cream which should have been applied to his skin 40 minutes before the tests. It must have been really horrible for you

NoVeggiesBeforeSkeggies · 26/10/2011 20:23

Poor little boy.

I was cringing reading, as I'm a proper scaredy cat about needles.
Had a blood test monday, and the lady who did it was so gentle, practically patted my head.

Your son should have been treated so much better, and kinder. No way would you be U to complain.

Hope he's ok now.

helpmabob · 26/10/2011 20:24

You should absolutely complain, poor wee mite. That must have been so upsetting for both of you and I hope it doesn't leave him scared of needles. Some phlebotomists are so expert you don't even feel the needle going in and some are dreadful and it really hurts. I am shocked by her attitude, please complain

NoVeggiesBeforeSkeggies · 26/10/2011 20:24

Kinder? More kindly, even.

Celerydion · 26/10/2011 20:26

YANBU Oh dear :( she sounds horrid! My dd (3) has had a fair amount of blood tests and usually there are lovely nurses to distract her and they tend to be very quick and efficient. Once it did take about 4 of us to hold her down mind! Sounds to me like this woman may be quite inexperienced at the job and need some further training. I think you should complain about her bad attitude. Hope you and your ds are recovered now.

Original poster

DawnOfTheDeementedDead · 26/10/2011 20:27

I just feel really bad that i just held him down and let her hurt him

He seems ok tonight, his arms are bluey-bruised aready though.

OP posts:

happydotcom · 26/10/2011 20:27

Please complain. That was unprofessional and cruel.

I hope your little one is ok now.

( hugs to both)

breadandbutterfly · 26/10/2011 20:31

How awful. Your poor ds. Of course you should complain, so she doesn't do this to another child.

Wishing your ds better.

ENormaSnob · 26/10/2011 20:31

I am furious on your behalf.

Dreadful treatment of a toddler, definately complain.

Hope he's okay now.

FruitChute · 26/10/2011 20:32

YANBU.
DD was upset having bloods done despite the cream. And she was 3 so we could explain a bit.
Them saying that they couldn't numb it when the skin was broken implies to me that they could and should have before the skin was broken.
And I agree the muttering and general attitude sounds very unprofessional.

Bluetinkerbell · 26/10/2011 20:33

Dee please do complain! when they suggested to do blood test for my DD, they prescribed me a numbing cream and a special plaster to talk to hospital to have it done! we haven't been though, but the cream is in my fridge just in case she needs it in the future!

When she was only 4,5 months old they had to try several times in different places as she inherited my veins and is very difficult to find a good spot.

She sounded very unprofessional! I know the job needed doing and she needed the 6 vials, but she should have asked for help or waited a bit for your poor DS to recover before doing the rest!
You don't get bruises from wriggling, but from people who mess about with the needle in your arm!
Give your poor DS a from me! and a big hug! x

Sirzy · 26/10/2011 20:34

Dawn dont feel guilty. I know how bad it is to hold them down for bloods and other treatement (even when done by someone proffessional) but you just did what you needed to.

ilovesprouts · 26/10/2011 20:36

complain to p a l s

OurPlanetNeptune · 26/10/2011 20:36

Complain. There was no need for her snarky attitude. Your poor DS.

crazynannawitchbitch · 26/10/2011 20:37

Don't feel bad,DOTDD,as far as you were concerned,you were parenting your ds,having him checked out as instructed. It was the venepuncturist who should have known better. Some it seems forget there is a (little) person on the other end of that needle. You have nothing to feel guilty about...she has everything to feel guilty about. Yes...having a needle obviously comes with a degree of discomfort...but just that. This procedure went beyond those bounds.
Thankfully the bruises will fade....but his memory may not in the future when he sees someone else coming towards him with a needle.

That is why you should report what happened.

I cannot believe it happened..obviously i know it happened...but Jeez!

WhoWhoWhoWho · 26/10/2011 20:37

YANBU Definitely complain, your poor DS!

Smokedsalmonbagel · 26/10/2011 21:11

Complain.

That would be an awful way to treat an adult let alone a child.

belledechocchipcookie · 26/10/2011 21:17

It's not your fault Dawn, you put your trust in her. I'd take some pictures of the bruises

Ormirian · 26/10/2011 21:18

Fuck no! What a cow.

I'm not one for complaining about HCP usually but there was no need for that behaviour towards a little child. Poor lad

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