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What are the challenges in doing geriatric venipuncture?
The elderly patient can prove especially challenging for the phlebotomist. Dehydration, loss of vein patency, and low blood pressure are typical issues, while arthritis, injury, or stroke may give elderly patients a limited range of motion, making it impossible to hyperextend their arms to survey for available veins.
What happens if veins collapse?
A collapsed vein is a blown vein that has caved in, which means that blood can no longer flow freely through that vein. Blood flow will resume once the swelling goes down. In the meantime, that vein can’t be used. If the damage is severe enough, a collapsed vein can be permanent.
Why do veins collapse during blood?
Your veins contain much of the fluids in your body, so if you haven’t had much to drink the day of your draw, those little fluid filled vessels will not be as easy to access and are more likely to collapse flat when a needle is inserted.
How would you deal with a patient who neglects to undergo venipuncture procedure?
However, patients have a right to refuse blood tests. If the patient still refuses, report this to the nurse or physician, and document patient refusal according to your hospital’s policies and procedures.
Why are extra precautions needed when drawing blood from elderly patients?
This extra time is critical in order to prevent excessive bleeding or formation of a hematoma. Older patients also have thin, fragile skin and thus an increased sensitivity to standard adhesive bandages.
What is the preferred collection method in elderly patients why?
The infant group is most susceptible to blood depletion, while the geriatric group there is likely probability of vein fragility, difficulty in accessing veins, thrombotic tendencies, etc. Therefore, a dermal puncture is preferred over venipuncture where too much blood may be inadvertently collected.
How do you not miss a vein when drawing blood?
If you can already see and feel the vein without a tourniquet, don’t use one. Dangle the patient’s arm at their side with the tourniquet on! If you are having trouble finding a vein dangle the arm. This will cause increase resistance on the vein and puff them up so you can stick them.
How do you stop your veins from collapsing?
Here are a few tips and techniques to avoid collapsed veins:
- Make use of needle exchange programs.
- Take care not to hit an artery.
- Do not inject into the veins in the hands, as they are too small and collapse easily.
- Do not inject into swollen or bruised sites.
What is the best treatment for venous insufficiency?
The most common treatment for venous insufficiency is prescription compression stockings. These special elastic stockings apply pressure at the ankle and lower leg. They help improve blood flow and can reduce leg swelling. Compression stockings come in a range of prescription strengths and different lengths.
How can complications of venipuncture be prevented?
To avoid haematoma formation from venepuncture, puncture only the uppermost wall of the vein just under the skin, remove the tourniquets before removing the needle, use the major superficial veins, make sure the needle fully penetrates the uppermost wall of the veins because partial puncture may allow blood to leak …
What should I do if I have a collapsed vein?
The treatment for collapsed veins is pretty simple, but it has to be executed the soonest time possible. Once the symptoms of collapsed vein is observed, injecting into the vein should be stopped right away to prevent further damage.
Where to look for venous valves in elderly patients?
If you know that you are dealing with a fragile vein on an elderly patient, look for deeper veins that are more stable and less movable. Venous valves are often located at the intersection of two veins. For a smooth IV line insertion, you may want to avoid that area.
Who is most likely to have difficult veins?
These veins are most often associated with people who require butterfly needles, such as children or geriatric patients. In reality, anyone can have difficult veins, which may require more assistance for blood draws. As a phlebotomist, ‘hard stick’ patients may be frustrating to handle.
How does a collapsed vein affect the circulation?
A collapsed vein can significantly affect the circulation of blood in the body. There are instances when a collapsed vein could lead to the formation of smaller veins. Too small veins don’t allow sufficient flow of blood.