Blood test at home ?

[janbird]

How does a blood test at home work as told not to go to hospital for them as shielding , I am apprehensive about people coming into the house touching surfaces etc, maybe over reacting but now thinking about it panicking a little 🥴

[KittyJ]

I would imagine they would touch as little as possible, if anything. If you are concerned I would ring them and ask what it entails as every hospital may have different procedures. Be reassured that they are doing this for a lot of people so won’t be taking risks 😊

[helixhelix]

I had a nurse come to the house. I opened the door for her, and she wore PPE. She cleaned her hands, perched on a chair, laid out her stuff on a sterile paper, took my blood, then bundled all the detritus into a bag which she sealed and took away. I opened the door for her to leave.

So apart from a centimetre or so of her bum she didn’t touch anything except for the crook of my arm. It was fine. They don’t want to catch this any more than you do!

[bubblyalex]

I don’t think you are overreacting. My home is my safe bubble and no one comes in. You could ask to have it at your dr surgery ... mine is closed unless by strict appointment to go in and they PPE up to the nines when I go. I am checked before I step foot in there and no other patients are around. I PPE up as well and I have wipes in my boot, clean myself down and peel off a layer of clothes before I get back in the car. I would rather do that than have someone in my house.

[janbird in reply to bubblyalex]

Thanks, our surgery does not do bloods not even worth the current situation

[bubblyalex in reply to janbird]

That’s a shame. My doc does mine because my body is so bl***y minded. It refuses to give any 😊

[happytulip]

Do you have a garden? Could the nurse take blood with you sitting in a garden?

[bubblyalex in reply to happytulip]

Oooh that’s a good idea. 🙂

[janbird in reply to happytulip]

Good idea we could but have to go through my chaotic house! I have a canopy over Our door way and a reasonable space we could use or patch of grass but lady today said had to be indoors , I can always ask worse they can say is no!

[happytulip in reply to janbird]

I'm a nurse and if a patient asked me to do it outside I would. They may have a policy to protect your confidentiality but if I were the nurse I would think that as long as you have mental capacity to make an informed decision about having blood taken outside then I would respect your wishes.

The benefit of you having blood outweighs the cost of some nosey neighbour commenting on it.

If they say no then ask them why not? Any reasonable health care professional would see your point. Besides, you can probably get a better vein in the heat!

If they really dig their heels in, can you sit in a car?

I've cannulated and bled people in uosidedown cars. It is possible. Some healthcare workers need to be flexible for patients in this time and think outside the box.

Let us know how you get on x

[janbird in reply to happytulip]

Thanks I will ask for outside, my son has my car to keep it ticking over and he’s a keyworker . Thanks. For the advice x

[hemsworth in reply to happytulip]

That's just what I did April 21st. Community nurse had been moved from sexual health to blood tests for shielded. Luckily it was a nice day but I asked her to take the bloods in the garden and she was OK with that

[MargaretStirling]

I had a nurse in Friday morning taking my blood I had just finished having my breakfast She wore a mask and put on rubber gloves before she did anything else she asked my name and date of birth and asked if I had been keeping to the rules I have a garden and spend most of my time weather or joints permitting if I will be more comfortable out or in took my Blood needed a plaster unfortunately I’m allergic but I usually have a stock of micro pore Packed everything into her bag I showed her out the door I prefer the nurse coming than me going to surgery I’m scared I pick something up especially being in my own environment all these weeks

[Mmrr]

I was offered either a house call or to go the GP practice at 8 am, wait in the car park 'till called, then I've to go in a side door to a room just used for sheilding patients. I've chosen to go to the practice (on Thursday morning). I'm sure all would be ok either way, but my preference is to keep my house 'clean'.

[janbird in reply to Mmrr]

It make me chuckle keep my house clean , I have teens and hubby that works but they stick clothes in wash and straight in shower if they venture out, I’m more in control of that but finding shielding and living in the bedroom really hard!

Thanks for everyone’s support x

[Lolabridge in reply to Mmrr]

I went to the surgery today for my blood test and arrived wearing a mask and gloves and clothes I could wash when I got home. I was told to sit outside (in the hot sun unfortunately for 10 minutes) until the nurse was ready. She let me in through the side door, was wearing PPE and took me to the shielding room where she took my blood. (This was a better arrangement than at my surgery on March 30th, which I survived anyway.). She took me out again and I came home, stripped off my clothes and mask and put all in the washing machine.

Tomorrow I have to go to hospital for an appointment with an oral surgeon who wants to look at the lichen planus in my mouth, which has persisted and has the potential to be cancerous. Understandably, I'm more anxious about going there but they have reassured me they will take all the precautions they can, and so will I.

[Biofreak in reply to Lolabridge]

Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how you go on.

[janbird]

Sending hugs for tomorrow hope all goes well xx

[wishbone]

I recently phoned my GP surgery to ask about having my bloods done and was a little surprised to be told not to go there as they will not test shielded people. No chance of going to my local hospital as I don't drive and can't say I'd be keen to go there even if I could. It's a routine blood test required by rheumy so it came as no surprise that when I phoned the rheumy secretary last week to ask for a repeat prescription of baracitinib, she said there was a note saying that I needed to have had the blood test first. I explained the situation and the secretary said that she would contact my rheumatologist to find out what I should do and get back to me. This morning I recieved my usual 3 month prescription for barictinib in the post. There was a letter enclosed asking if I could arrange to have my blood tests as soon as possible to help avoid interuption to my treatment. Having your bloods monitored taking barictinib is not as essential as it is for other meds like methotrexate I believe. Still, I did think rheumy may have arranged something, ie... got in touch with my GP to ask if the nurse could come to my house and take them. If that did happen then I would have them done in the hallway just inside my front door. I would also wear a proper FFP3 mask, I have a small number stashed away for this sort of thing.

[Knit12 in reply to wishbone]

Sorry to hear this it must be your area. I know in mine the hospital are doing blood tests in the car park where the nurses come out to you at a prearranged time to your car. I am shielding and my consultant arranged for my GP surgery to have a nurse come to me and do the test. Full PPE was worn and I felt totally safe

[wishbone in reply to Knit12]

I think it depends on the area as you say, and possibly different GP practices as well.

[Sheila_G]

Hi. As most people know on here I was terrified of going for my blood tests ( on methotrexate.) I posted a similar message to yours. I was given an extra month but told that if I didn't go after that my doctor would not give me a further prescription. I listened to everyone on this site and they reassured me and made me feel better about going. I wore mask, gloves (which I was chastised for,) wore leggings and t.shirt with trousers and jumper over the top and boots. I felt as safe as I could be because it was so well organised and I didn't see another person besides staff. In and out in seconds. Once outside I stripped off top layer and boots on the car park and had plastic bin liners on the seat and gel. I could have joined the Spacex mission I was so 'clean'. I worried for weeks unnecessarily. Please don't do that. If you go you will find that everyone is doing the best they can to protect us and themselves. I wouldn't hesitate in the future. Good luck. x

[sylvi]

Right first off they will be gloved and masked and everything is done to protect you. I have been having them come into my house for months as the £10 it costs is worth it as there is no trip out to the hospital and car parking fees as well and no waiting around to be seen. I swear by them.xxxx

[Gladders in reply to sylvi]

I also do this sylvi I think we are lucky in our area to have this service the ladies are lovely and respect the guidelines to keep us safe. I hope you are recovering from your recent illness

[Fra22-57]

My district nurse come just for that.all gowned up with apron n glove.they seem to be all different.one asked if she could wash her hands.another took my temperature. Felt very safe and much happier than hping to GP on bus.Great service I am so lucky to get

[Moonart]

Hi, I’ve had a nurse calling to my home from start of lockdown as had just started back on methotrexate when lockdown started. I was worried at first but I make sure the door is open through into my living room so she doesn’t have to touch handles and I open the front door to let her in and out. She puts on gloves, masks, and plastic apron from her car before she comes in. And she only carries the syringes, needles, and paperwork required for me. Nothing else. She’s fast, in and done in no time. And when she goes I do wipe down the handles as she’s had to touch my porch door that swings shut at times. I’ve been having this lovely nurse visit since the start, four times in total as had to have fortnightly ones to start with. And it’s all been absolutely fine. Hope that puts your mind at rest? 🙂

[Tillie20]

Hi I had to have a district nurse to come and take blood and explained the results had to go to the hospital I rang the hospital no results sent to them so I could not request my mtx, Rang GP surgery asked receptionist to send to hospital so I could get medication questioned why I get from hospital and she would get the nurse to ring me and then ask the GP for authorisation to send tried to explain I need it to be sent straight away as I need medication she said she would get GP to call still waiting.

[janbird in reply to Tillie20]

Oh no my methotrexate now comes from hospital but gp this time arranged for prescription as one off and then I presume requested bloods as not done for 3 months. Hope it gets sorted x

[Tillie20 in reply to janbird]

Hi Janbird, No my GP does not prescribe MTX pen I have to get from the hospital as I am not under my GP they only issue folic acid to me I did not realise there would be this trouble .

[bubblyalex in reply to Tillie20]

Unhelpful and dare I say it interfering receptionist... sorry but all she has to do is email the results to the hospital. It’s standard practice. They are vital to your treatment. My surgery does this for me. I don’t have to go through anything complicated.

I’d call them back and say you need to speak to your doc urgently. Aka today. Last thing you or they need is a flare up. Another option is she emails the results to you and you can then send them to the hosp. Good luck 🙂

[Knit12]

I had a blood test at home last week as I’m shielding and a FT carer to my elderly mum. Nurse came in full PPE. I opened the door, she brought everything she needed with her including sharps bin, did the test and touched no surfaces other than me. I washed my hands and arm that she touched afterwards. No problems. I am also awaiting them coming in to do another blood test for my elderly mum and have no hesitation in them doing so. They are professional and know the dangers

[JulieMBrown]

Hi I had a blood test at home about 4 weeks ago. The nurse wore PPE, she changed gloves between setting up the syringes and touching my arm to draw the blood. We sat outside at the garden bench - she checked if I was comfortable with that first. She wiped down the seat area she’d sat on afterwards and asked me to wipe down the gate latches when she’d gone. She was absolutely scrupulous in her use of gloves, face mask, apron etc and put me at my ease from the moment I saw her walking up the path in the full PPE kit! Hope it goes as well for you.

[auldreekie2]

Hi janbird,

I get my bloods taken at home every month, so not to worry they are well covered the nurses, they are just in and out.

[janbird]

Hi all done bought fishing tackle tray in put on stair, mask apron on then put gloves on to do it, quick as anything. Trying not to think about it any more spayed stair and banister end jumped in shower too. Bit over reactive but hopefully when next due we can be more normal x

Thanks for all your support xxxx 💕I am glad I you understand everyone else thinks I’m crazy 😜

[Otto11]

Unlike most who seem to have understanding GP’s who actually communicate with their Rheumatology department I am heading off shortly for my 50 mile round trip to hospital for my blood monitoring test. This is only the second time since lockdown but was told by a senior Rheumatology nurse that no blood test equals no meds end of. Even though shielding I have no choice. She did say she would get a dr to call me as my new Biologic dosnt seems to be working but that was weeks ago & still no phone call. Anyway off to get ready. It was very quiet last time so I expect it will be similar. I only saw one other person. Good luck x

[janbird in reply to Otto11]

Hope it was quiet again too and you get your call back too, stay safe x

[Otto11 in reply to janbird]

Thanks. Hospital was very quiet again no one in blood taking. In & out in 5 mins x

[medway-lady]

Our GP has a drive through one set up. I think its great and had mine done last Friday then Monday as not enough blood. I think its so easy to get paranoid about the virus and at some point we'll all have to go out. I'm putting my trust in the GP and nurses to do the right thing and also the dentist too. I think it doesn't pay now to watch too much news its only ever about the virus and surely other things are happening in the world. It pays to be careful but I'm realistic and really want to be positive. My sister is a nurse she's had it and is ok now, my son is on the front line and we have to trust them , in our homes or in the hospitals or surgeries because we may have this virus around for years. And talk of a vaccine has gone quiet.

[janbird]

That sounds great and you are right I can think like that some days but others it gets too much

[happytulip]

How did the test go?

[janbird in reply to happytulip]

Hi , ok she said they couldn’t do it outside so I sat on chair in hall, she had her tray of bits on the stair, apron and mask on then gloves to do it , thankfully my arm played ball this time!

No call yet from rheum team so hopefully all well although I’m feeling a flare coming now weather turned cold .

I’ve ordered some masks so next time I will try to go to a pop up one they are setting up unless this is over and remains just a bad dream. Thanks for asking, take care