Care tips after your blood test

[AussieNeil]

With CLL, we all become familiar with having regular blood tests, but it seems no one bothers to tell us much about how to make these as pleasant as possible. Here's a previous post on what to do before your blood test/draw:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Today I visited a new pathology service and was most impressed by the phlebotomist's awareness of preventive hygiene techniques and to hear that annual refreshers were required by the company. No doubt our discussion was sparked by me wearing a face mask which met with the phlebotomist's approval when I explained why I was wearing it.

When we have a blood sample taken, our largest organ (our skin) which protects us from infection has to be breached by creating a wound, so I was also most impressed to see a pad of tear off 'Recommendations after Blood Collection', which I've reproduced below:

Venepuncture (drawing of blood) is a procedure that rarely causes side effects

To reduce the likelihood of side effects such as bleeding, discomfort, swelling or bruising, please follow these simple precautions.

* After the blood draw, the collector will ask you to apply moderate undisturbed pressure with your fingers to the site for a few minutes. In warmer weather you may need to place pressure on the site for a few minutes longer.

* Leave the dressing strip in place for 30 minutes to an hour.

FOR THE REST OF THE DAY

* Avoid tight or restrictive clothing on the arm.

* Avoid strenuous use of the arm (e.g. sports, digging, ironing, carrying parcels/handbag/briefcase).

If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure with your fingers directly over the needle site and elevate the arm until bleeding stops.

If you have discomfort or swelling of the arm, elevate your arm and place ice over the site for 10 minutes. Let the arm return to normal temperature and re-apply ice for another 10 minutes.

Rest the arm as much as possible."

Neil

[Psmithuk]

Useful, thank you. Can't do anything about the bruises afterwards though, which appear even when done by a very good phlebotomist!

[mpaull]

Thanks Neil, I understand things are different in other parts of the world. I am fortunate to live in the United States and most labs results are available in 30 minutes and can be accessed online. This is good because you can review from your phone just before your visit with your Doc on the same day. Mitch L

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to mpaull]

I'm surprised you get your absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and other differentials in 30 minutes...first time I have ever heard that... usually takes well over an hour often longer... perhaps you aren't including them in 'most lab results?'

They are the important counts in CLL...

labtestsonline.org/understa...

~chris

[mpaull in reply to Cllcanada]

Hi Chris,

You may be right but I usually go in at 7:30 am for lab draw, first counts are complete by 8:00 am and a few more are posted about 30 to 45 minutes later. My appointment is around 9:00 am and all labs are complete to review with Doc. Then we determine how to approach the next month. It's really streamlined. They usually take two viels from me but once every 4 months they draw about 9 viels, with one of them taking 3 days to get the results back. One is sent out of state. Mitch