That was traumatic.

[rootofnewt]

We live in a house built before 1978. And, like most houses which are homes to 12 month old babies, the windowsills are dusty.

As such, Ronan needs his blood tested for lead.

They stuck him twice. Failed to get the vein both times. We gave up for the day.

His veins don't pop like mine do. He's chunky, so they aren't easy to find. Warming pads didn't help. The tourniquets didn't help. I'm sure the screaming til he was redder than a boiled lobster didn't help, either.

*sigh*

Anyone know a phlebotomist at UVA who can find a baby's vein on the first try? He's too old for a heelstick, so I guess they're going for the cubital vein or whatever is in the elbow.

Comments

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I don't know how much they need for lead and a CBC. Two vials, of course. And I asked the ped if it would be a full draw or a finger/heel stick and they said it was a vial. So I asked for his iron to be checked, since they'd be using a butterfly as it was. I asked the phleb (after the failed first stick) if they truly needed a vial for the lead alone and they do. :/ I'd have nixed the CBC if they could've done a simple drop.

[short-line2.livejournal.com]

At least you tried to limit the amount they would take if the draw had been successful.

My father, a retired surgeon, was outraged when they wanted to take 7 vials the last time he needed labs done just for a simple out patient eye surgery procedure. He said that it is not the fault of phlebotomist as they just go by a list, but that the labs want a lot more blood than they really need.

I hope Ronan's next round is less traumatic for him and you.

[mustelidmania.livejournal.com]

the only thing that you need a full vial of blood for in the world is a prothrombin time. Labs can make do with less, don't let them fool you. Now you are talking about pediatric bullet vials, not the ones I would draw from you, right?

Also, do they use a syringe or vaccutainer to get the blood once they get in the vein? Hopefully they draw back with a syringe, the smaller the better due to a toddlers soft veins that collapse easily.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

The first stick was something I'd never seen before. Maybe it was the ped bullets you mentioned. The second stick was with a small butterfly.

They couldn't get the vein at all. I wasn't paying attention to what was on the counter, so I don't know what they were trying.