Category: LOL Moments

Had a patient who was mean and rude, and I had to draw blood on her. She actually threaten to punch me if I hurt her. Tried my best to be professional with this lady. Blood draw went great, no problem. Then the stool collection was next. For some reason, she didn’t want her boyfriend… Continue reading Inseparable

While working in hematology, I received a microtainer from our newborn nursery with orders to perform a CBC. As per our protocol, I checked it for a clot and finding nothing, proceeded to run it through our analyzer. The results were quite abnormal, low RBC, WBC, Hgb and almost no platelets. I was highly suspicious… Continue reading Clotted? That’s Impossible!

It was the last month of my internship days and I was assigned in Microbiology department. I love it here. It seems like we’re a bit separated from the main lab drama. That’s up until Dr. Jones (real name withheld) came into play. Dr. Jones was red faced while walking into the lab. Each step… Continue reading Culture It Now!

I was drawing blood on a female patient. Her husband was in the same phlebotomy room. I did my usual pep talk to the patient. One specific phrase I told the patient was “Don’t worry, I’m using a small needle; you’ll probably won’t even feel anything!” To my surprise, the patient responded “That’s okay. I’m… Continue reading I’m Used To It

Over the of my career When working the night shift I have been called to draw blood from the ED  patients that are drug addicts. One female patient said the only vein she had was on her breast .  One male patient told me under his tongue, and another one was between his right toe.  I… Continue reading Unusual Veins

I was working the graveyard shift and received a wet prep specimen. The order specifically said to check for those nasty swimming flagellates, Trichomonas. Instead, I found a single sperm cell that was still alive. My entertainment for the next few minutes was to watch it swim and find its way around the slide. Unfortunately,… Continue reading Wet Mount Entertainment

I used to work at this hospital where the ER beds are right next to each other, separated by a mere curtain. To keep things "private", the curtain is drawn so at the very least the patients won't be able to see each other, but unfortunately, you can still hear some of the ongoing conversation,… Continue reading Baby Food Storage

I used to work in a 1200-bed hospital back then in Texas. Great hospital, with a few not so great staff mixed in. Here's a little background for my story. The hospital's NICU unit had a pretty awesome crew. Believe it or not, we get along with most of them. Each time they put an… Continue reading Don’t Let It Clot!

So this happened quite a few years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I work at one of the large teaching hospitals in Philadelphia, in a satelite facility, and this occurs around 6p on a Friday afternoon in the summer. We get a call from the OR that they have an amputated… Continue reading The Amputated Leg

A lady came in one day with an order for a 24 hour urine protein electrophoresis. The order was for his dad. I told her to stick around so I can get everything he needed for the collection process. I came back with a 24 hour urine jug and a specimen collection cheat sheet, which… Continue reading Proper Labeling