When you’re new on the job, you are likely to focus on what you need to do, and kinda tend to not notice the small details around you.
One day, I went to draw blood on a patient. I was new at that facility, and was basically just focused on what I had to do—including trying to get familiar with the phlebotomy supplies.
I put the tourniquet on the patient’s arm, and told the patient to make a fist so I can see and feel the veins better.
After few seconds of telling the patient to make a fist, I noticed, and then realized, that the patient actually did not have a hand or fingers at all! Like the patient’s hand was completely cut off or something.
OMG!! I was so embarrassed! I had to apologize to the patient the whole time. The patient was just fine and smiling.
Since then, I always make it a habit to check the hand first before asking a patient to make a fist. ✅ ??
Submitted by:
Ferdie Rodriguez
Laboratory Manager
Utah, USA
