To expect better practice?

[27Bananas]

I have B12 injections every 3 months. The nurse always usually opens up a sterile needle and draws the B12 up in front of me. About 6 months ago, I went in and saw a new nurse. When he called me in, everything was already open, packaging discarded and he just took the lid off and injected me. I felt quite uncomfortable that I hadn't seen any of it being prepared, but assumed that it was just a one off. The next time I had one of the usual nurses and it was all prepared infront of me.

Today I was supposed to have an ECG, blood pressure and b12. I requested a female nurse as for this appointment as it involved removing all of my top half and I am very large breasted. I want to add that I have nothing against male practitioners.

However, the male nurse who I'd felt uncomfortable with previously called me in and told female nurse had had to leave unexpectedly. I asked to reschedule the ECG but to still have my blood pressure and b12 done. He asked me to give him 5 minutes whilst he got everything ready and then when I went in, it was already set up again. No packaging in site etc. He just took the lid off and injected me. Now for anyone who normally has b12 jabs, you will know the liquid is dark orange and it's quite painful to inject. This time it looked lighter and he injected it quite quickly and it didn't feel at all painful at all. I am more than willing to admit that I may be paranoid in this respect, but it highlights the fact that because I didn't see him open everything and draw up in front of me, I am left feeling anxious about it all.

I spoke to my husband who encouraged me to speak to the surgery, so I went back in and spoke to the reception manager. I didn't make a complaint, but I said I felt concerned about the procedure not being carried out in front of the patient and it has left me feeling unsafe. She said she would look into and get back to me.

The point of my post is to try and establish whether this would make others feel uncomfortable and whether there is infact any guidance around procedures and good practice in this regard?

The empty vial was, yes.

• I said I felt concerned about the procedure not being carried out in front of the patient and it has left me feeling unsafe. She said she would look into and get back to me.

The point of my post is to try and establish whether this would make others feel uncomfortable and whether there is infact any guidance around procedures and good practice in this regard?*

I think most people wouldn’t feel uncomfortable because the injection hasn’t been prepared in front of them. In fact many people are squeamish and that’s probably the reason things aren’t always prepared in front of them.
Honestly your reaction and where your mind has gone is really extreme. It is highly unlikely that this nurse is injecting you with anything else. Some nurses are better at administering infections than others. I’ve had blood tests done by some people and it hurt like hell, others I barely noticed. It seems crazy to me to assume because you didn’t really feel pain that therefore the nurse is secretly injecting you with an unknown substance.

As a medical professional there is no obligation to draw medications up in front of the patient. Actually when drawing up medication a filter needle is first used to get it out of the glass which is larger and thicker which can cause anxiety, the needle to changed to administer but people can freak out when they see the first needle so it’s quiet common to do this out of sight.

Well thank you for your tact. I would hope he was doing what he should have been.

The point is, because his practice is different to what usually happens and I didn't actually see what he did, it made me feel uncomfortable and vulnerable.

You actually sound bananas

This.

Did you ask him?

Or did you decide that he was injecting you with something else?

I never draw up in front of patients. I needlesticked myself one many years ago, I like complete peace and quiet when I'm concentrating.

Why do you feel vulnerable and uncomfortable? Do you think he had nefarious intentions?

It's straightforward.

Op has been receiving procedure A
A new nurse does Procedure B
Op has no medical training and her only point of reference is Procedure A, with no problems in the past.
Checking is fine. Some of us wouldn't, some of us would.