I went today for one of my regular blood tests. The nurse tried once and couldn’t get a blood so after a few minutes of wiggling the needle and repositioning under the skin with still no success she removed the needle and tried the other arm. She tried this arm in 2 different places. On the 3 try she finally got a vein.
My question is, was she allowed to use the same needle for all 3 tries?
I have seen and heard of so many people who have ended up seriously I’ll l from the same needed being used and resulting in infection. Because of this after the first try I asked her if she should be using the same needle again and she said yes it’s fine as it’s going into the same person. It was a different arm and going through the skin in 3 places. Something about this just doesn’t seem safe. Am I wrong? Are there any official guideline? Any advice would be appreciated so that if it happens again I can be knowledgable about if this is right or not!
Thanks
Becky
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Becky1995
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I think the nurse was correct as it was only used for you, so it's different from the risk that people do have if sharing needles/ infection from one person to a different person. Sorry to hear they had to make several attempts, makes you feel like a pin cushion at times
Defo! My poor arms are throbbing as she was probing around under the skin at each try too! 😭
Atleast she did get the test in the end so it was not wasted pain! Just glad that I’m ok with blood test and it didn’t bother me. If it had been someone more nervous they’d probably be put off for life! X
Hi Becky - I’ve got extremely difficult veins so the nurse always tries at least twice or three times before she gets it right and she always uses the same needle xx
Taking blood from a vein can be quite a daunting task that’s why most NHS hospitals have venepuncturists to do it!
Many doctors and nurses haven’t learnt the right technique! 1. It’s difficult to find the vein
2. The vein often slips under the needle.
Once an inexperienced GP practice nurse tried both my arms twice, kept on shouting at me to clench my fist to make my veins stand out but!🤪 without any success so I suggested, Cynthia the highly experienced HCA next room.
Used a new needle, in 1st time. no fiddling about.
I think if you try too many times, the needle blunts quickly and patient ends up with a big bruise due to a blunt needle being used.
As patients sometimes we have to be assertive. In my case if I didn’t suggest Cynthia next door that nurse would have carried on!😟☹️Most don’t like admitting incompetence 🤪, funny how the HCA did it but nursy couldn’t 🤣
Hi BettyThe nurse may have been inexperienced rather than incompetent. There is a big difference. Everyone has to learn but if they arent confident with your veins they ahould say. You are always able to request a particular nurse if you want one. Bruises occur because the vein has been entered and not enough pressure applied following the test to seal it again. Sometimes veins, especially in elderly patients and patients on blood thinners or steroids etc will bruise whatever you do. It's not poor technique necessarily. Phlebotomists are usually better because they do it all day every day.
I agree! I do feel like ti definitely have to speak up sometimes, I didn’t used to as I felt embarrassed but then realised this is my body so I need to be more confident!
My veins are pretty well hidden my my regular nurse gets it everytime without fail! I think the not being able to see them bout this lady on edge. I think she must have been close because everytime she removed the needle blood poored out. I’ve had it a few times where the vacuum has gone in the tube and after trying a few places in my arms they change the vacuum and it works immediately. I did tell her this and she said she changed it but she didn’t. I was watching the whole time. So it just kinda put me on edge as I then didn’t trust her, if that make sense!
The fun of multiple blood test eh! 😂 I’ll be asking for my regular nurse next time!
I watched many IVs and needles for blood draws go in children’s arms when their little veins became nearly impossible after being stuck so often. I don’t recall ever seeing a nurse or doctor change the needle.
So no cause for worry. It’s your bloody fluid only.
Hi Becky. As a registered Nurse who has done thousands of blood tests on people i was always taught to change the needle. I have bad veins too and have had cellulitis from poor insertion of a canula.
Ask them to use a butterfly for future tests if they struggle. It's finer and gives you a better idea when you are.in the vein without guessing. Vacuum is better too so won't flatten a tiny vein.
Sorry you have had a bad experience.
Remember we are entitled to challenge things. I frequently have to ask them to wash their hands or change their gloves.
Yea, that’s what I’ve started to learn over the years, you’ve really got to advocate for yourself and also unfortunately can’t always have 100% trust things are being done right, sometimes you have to speak up. Which is why I wanted to check!
My poor arms are in pieces today but Atleast she did get the test in the end so it was worth it 😂
Yes like someone else said re using a needle can blunt it.I too am a nurse who takes bloods and much prefer to rely on the feel of a vein to the ones you can see.
Often the ones you can see very well are very thin and of no use and these are the ones which will bruise massively if someone tries to use them.
All clinicians have different experience and all patients are different to take blood from. Especially if we have blood taken regularly as there will be scar tissue so just be sure to rotate ur sites for the clinician, if we have a bit of weight on us ( it's very difficult then to see or feel anything) so it's a very difficult task then and eith all the meds we are on etc it's easy to put a bit of weight on!! Like myself 😂
Just try make it easier on everyone and try and book ur appointment with the person you like to do ur bloods then nobody needs to be offended and you don't need to be pricked multiple times!
I've been doing bloods for 20+ yrs on newborns, drug addicts and ex addicts with absolutely no veins ( using the tiny vein in there thumb!) elderly where they can just slip and slide all over the place but there are still a couple of certain patients I don't mind admitting I struggle to take blood from 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ so I don't even put them thru an attempt I send them round to the call who can get them x
You can use the same needle because it is only used on you. When she tried another arm or area, proper protocol is to swab the new site with alcohol first. I have difficult vins that roll, and it has happened to me several time with no adverse reactions.
Hi Necky1995I am also a nurse and although I do not undertake venepuncture now, and not up to date with current protocols, I would suggest that once the nurse removed the needle and proceeded to try the other arm, they should use another/ new/ fresh one. I’m in the U.K.
I have checked with our practice based educator and the infection control nurses, advice is never reuse a needle. Hope that helps you all stay safe and infection free. Also good luck with any upcoming blood tests peeps. I hope this sunshine isn't flaring too any people. x
I am an ED nurse, and there are two things wrong with what they have done. Firstly, they NEVER should reuse the needle, because the first attempt will do micromanage to the needle end and it can hurt you quite badly, and the human eye cannot see the damage. Secondly, a healthcare professional can o ly try twice before they have to escalate it to someone else. So she shouldn't have tried three times. As an ED nurse I sometimes take bloods from dozens of people a day, and know that we shouldn't do this. A quick YouTube search will show you how much damage the needle suffers. Hope this helps xx
No, I have worked at a phlebotomist for nearly 3 decades and you are not suppose to use the same needle even on the same patient more than once. There’s no excuse to reuse needles at all and here’s a few reasons why:
1. Risk of infection Reusing a needle increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Even with proper sterilisation techniques, there's still a risk of residual contamination, especially with viruses that are highly resistant to sterilisation.
2. Cross-contamination: Reusing needles can lead to cross-contamination between patients, potentially spreading infections from one individual to another. Where’s the needle going to sit while they find a new vein?
3. Needle Dullness: Phlebotomy needles are designed for single-use because they become dull after one insertion. A dull needle increases the risk of causing tissue damage, bruising, and pain during subsequent insertions.
4. Compromised Sterility: Even with proper cleaning and sterilisation, needles may not be completely sterile after initial use. Reusing a needle compromises its sterility, increasing the likelihood of introducing bacteria or other pathogens into the bloodstream.
Regulatory Standards: Healthcare regulatory bodies, in the UK mandate the use of single-use medical devices, including phlebotomy needles, to ensure patient safety and reduce the risk of infection.
The next time someone tries to reuse a needle on you have the courage to speak up. There’s zero excuse. If they say they don’t have enough needles or it’s wasteful or whatever nonsense they come up with take note of what they say, then turn them into NHS England, PALS or their senior staff.
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