Reducing phlebotomy in hemodialysis patients

[woundrn]

Because routine venous access for IV therapy or phlebotomy is limited to one unilateral arm for those of us who are dialysis patients many of us have poor access in the remaining limb for blood draws or IV therapy possibly secondary to scarring through multiple attempts at enous access. Is there any kind of advocacy that would permit physicians to submit lab draw requests to outpatient dialysis units.

I have found my dialysis unit is very reluctant to do this even though the physicians making the request are in the same hospital system.

In the last week I have had eight attempts by phlebotomists to collect blood for lab requests from physicians these include lab requests for anticoagulation therapy by my cardiologist and multiple labs by my endocrinologist. None of these attempts were successful in achieving venous access.

I know that if I don't ask I have 100% chance of not getting any answers. Therefore I'm asking my questions.

[cs65 NKF Ambassador]

I used to have that done when I was on hemodialysis. I would just have my oncologist fax the dialysis unit his blood draw order before my appointment with him. They were all part of the same hospital system, but used different computer systems. Now that I have a transplant I do have to get blood draws in my other arm, but I have gotten to know which areas are more accessible for me and just tell the phlebotomist to use those areas. Make sure you drink water before your blood draws and have them use a butterfly needle. I am in Massachusetts.

[Tissybell]

I have difficulty with blood draws as well, and am limited to the left arm. One of my nurses told me about a port you can get somewhere near the chest. She said it does not hurt , and you can bathe or swim with it.