Top 10 Ways To Injury a PT

1. Misidentify / Mislabel

Reason: #1 way to injure a patient. The patient must state their first and last name (spelled out), DOB, or any other numeric identifier. You can KILL a patient.

2. PROBE

Reason: Nerves and the brachial artery can be easily injured when the collector probes. The smart phlebotomist recognizes the risk and removes the needle instead of giving in to temptation to “salvage” the draw. A calculated relocation can be done, but NO probing. Know the structures in the draw area.

“Don’t probe — you can injure nerves or the brachial artery. Remove the needle, reposition if needed, and try again safely. Know your anatomy.”

3. Stick the first vein you see

Reason: Standards urge us to prioritize the veins for safety. Always look at both arms. AVOID the area of the basilic vein.

Prioritize veins for safety. Check both arms and avoid the basilic vein.

4. Disregard Shooting Pain

The responsible & prudent phlebotomist knows that shooting electric like pain indicates a nerve has been provoked and will remove the needle immediately. Risk of minor to severe injury.

Could be disabling

*unusual, extreme tingling or numbness*

Electric shock pain, tingling, or numbness means nerve involvement. Remove the needle immediately.

5. Draw From An Artery

Arterial blood in venous , blood are different in terms of the concentration of some analyses. Drawing from an artery is riskier to the patient nerve injuries more likely to get a larger hematoma can end up with long-term issues.

Arterial and venous blood differ in composition. Arterial draws carry higher risk, including nerve injury, larger hematomas, and long-term damage.

6. Bandage In A Hurry

A bandage is not a substitute for pressure!!! do not bandage till stasis is complete. Perform two point check large area hematoma could cause

Complex regional pain syndrome

Compression nerve injury

Pressure first, bandage after bleeding stops. Large hematomas may cause nerve compression or complex regional pain syndrome.

7. Turn Your Back On Your PT.

Statistics tell us patients will pass out. We must be vigilant for signs of loss consciousness, pale skin perspiration, hyper, ventilation, anxiety, talkative to silence.

Never ignore your patient watch for signs they may faint (pale skin, sweating, fast breathing, anxiety, sudden quietness)

8. Seat the PT anywhere

According to the standards, patients must be recumbent or seated in a chair with an armrest for support. *REMEMBER seated for safety!! the phlebotomist is liable for injuries that result from improper positioning.

Patients must be seated properly with support for safety. Incorrect positioning can cause injury, and the phlebotomist is liable for improper positioning.