I was observing a phlebotomist as she drew a patient’s blood. 2 SST and 2 Lavender tubes. After she withdrew the needle, she then started shaking (not inverting) the tubes. Especially shook the lavender pretty vigorously so I had to speak up. I said “you know you’re supposed to invert the tubes, not shake them, right?” This ‘phlebotomist’ continues shaking the lavender tubes while telling me “I’m trying to make the bubbles”!
You can’t be rude in these moments so my inside voice is saying “what phlebotomy school did you go to, and did you miss the class on proper specimen collection and quality?”
I again reminded her to invert not shake the specimens to ‘make’ bubbles.
She continued this process on every patient she drew and I interjected each time. Needless to say, I was asked not to observe this person anymore.
Fine by me, I thought I was losing my mind watching this insanity. I’ve only been a lab tech for over 30 years; what do I know?
You can’t make this stuff up!
Submitted by:
Nicole King
Laboratory Technician
Maryland, USA
