On 3rd shift one night, the huge chemistry analyzer malfunctioned and I very much needed to get it running again. I got on the phone with tech support and was following instructions. I couldn’t reach inside, so I pulled up a one-step ladder for added reach. I am only about 5’ tall and still couldn’t… Continue reading How I Became Gracie
Category: LOL Moments
Defective Centrifuge
One nightshift I reported to the ER that the sample was hemolyzed. They told me to do the redraw because our centrifuge was the cause of the sample getting hemolyzed. I also was instructed by the ER to calibrate our centrifuge because they always draw the samples from patients without any trouble. 🤦♀️ Submitted by:Ione… Continue reading Defective Centrifuge
Jesus Christ
We were all talking with several conversations going on. One person said, "Jesus Christ." Our supervisor said, "He's got nothing to do with things here. I don't want to hear that again." Another person responding to another conversation said, "He came in for a CBC yesterday. It was normal. " Submitted by:Anne AshtonUSA
Spanked with a Hair Brush
Went up to draw a patient in the ICU with male coworker. Male patient made a request and asked to be spanked with a hairbrush while my coworker draws his blood. We made it to the stairwell before we both lost it. Midnights are weird...🤪 Submitted by:Heidi PerezMedical TechnologistWisconsin, USA
The Snow Storm
We had about a 2-3’ blizzard once. So bad that many lab people couldn’t get in on their own. They sent the 4-wheel drive brigade to bring me to work and I ended up working 36 hours straight. When they finally took me back home, I shared the ride with a custodian. When I mentioned… Continue reading The Snow Storm
Positive Blood Culture
Calls a positive blood culture... Doctor: So you’re saying it’s a VRE Me: No, it’s gram positive cocci in pairs in chains. It has to grow first before any ID can be performed. Doc: Oh ok, so it’s VRE. Me: No doctor, please understand I am only reporting the gram stain. There is no ID yet. … Continue reading Positive Blood Culture
WIFI Password
OB/GYN Office, male patient for a CSA, he is calm & courteous as we go thru the usual pre-collection information & paperwork. He has no more questions and is shown the room for collection. As I start to walk away, he suddenly has a confused look. I pause and ask if he has a question. With… Continue reading WIFI Password
Who is the Father?
At my previous job, we collected specimens for paternity testing. People who called with questions about paternity tests always offered up too much information. One lady told me she needed a paternity test on her grandchild to see if the child belonged to her son or her husband. Submitted by:Robin FulfordUSA
Feisty Grandma
Years ago, I went to a nursing unit to stick a patient. It was a tiny elderly lady curled up in a fetal position asleep. I gently touched her arm, woke her up and told her why I was there. She seemed to understand so I started the phlebotomy process. All was well until I put the… Continue reading Feisty Grandma
Full Specimen Cup
I sent a patient to the restroom to collect a semen specimen in a paper cup. He was taking a very long time, checked on him and said he needed more time. 2nd check and still needed more time. Maybe 10 minutes later he came out looking exhausted and said he just couldn’t do it. I looked… Continue reading Full Specimen Cup