Sick of blood test - scratched a phlebotomist - can I complain?

[tweety1]

Hi there,

Just having a bit of a moan. Anyone fed up of having blood tests while pregnant? Didn't realise you have to have so many. I absolutely hate them - the pain I can take but just hate needles. Had one a few weeks go to check my iron level and the phlebotomist scratched my arm before she inserted the needle, I was quite annoyed and have been thinking of maybe making a complaint. Just makes me angry when people are careless.

i think its fair to make a complaint in that case, a phlebotomist should never scratch you in the process (my mums a phlebotomist).

ask at your local surgery if there is anyone that is better with people who are difficult to take blood from, they are normally much more sensitive, careful and gentle with you, and theres normally at least one person who is better in the group, and they cant deny you such a reasonable request. if you dont like the midwives who do it, when you need any bloods done ask if you can take the form and have it done at the surgery with someone your comfortable with

I only get them done when absolutely neccessary and tend to get them in batches. My blood doesnt come out easily and I only trust certain people to take it.

There seems to be such a difference depending where you go. I have had the same midwife for both pregnancies and she is great at getting blood but I do have very good veins (they always get excited when I give blood and want to get trainees to practice on me ).

I have always had good experiences with the hospital phlebotomists but the ones in the GP surgery aren't always as good (my husband was recently sent to hospital as the nurse in the GP surgery was unable to get blood and bruised him quite badly).

Its not pleasant but better to know if there are any problems. I wouldn't complain but then that's just me, I'd be worried I saw her again! I think you're well within your rights to and as ktwiltshire says you can ask for someone else next time.

TBH I wouldn't complain, because although it shouldn't happen, it's one of those things that can easily happen and isn't a big issue. Some phlebotomists are better than others, some have good days and bad days.

I have tricky veins when my blood pressure is low - which atm is all the time - and have had some awful experiences having bloods taken, but I never really felt that anyone had done anything wrong, even if they weren't very good.