Annoyed

I just want to share my annoyance at something that happened today. I had a blood test today to check my counts and whoever did the request in the hematology day unit only put that i needed a potassium check, so they didn't do a full blood count, so i couldn't get my platelet count today. They are re-faxing a new request for me to have another one next friday, but very annoyed i got up early to have a blood test and it was basically a waste of time!! So you can imagine i am feeling very annoyed.

And I would be annoyed too!

However if that happened to me they would have taken the blood for the platelet count that wasn't on the list and they would contact the doctor's office to see if it should be run.

Sorry!

life lesson......make sure you ask what the draw is for, then they will check your record and you can correct any error!
that's happened to me before. Before a doctor visit, on several occasions I've mentioned that I'd be seeing the doc in the next couple of days and they would go get more vials!

The list of things we have to keep track of and verify keeps getting longer and longer doesn't it! I'm reminded of the same thing in a different arena - I've been traveling for my job and I have learned when I check into a hotel - before I unpack - check - does the shower work, and supply hot and cold reliably - does the tv remote work? Are the sheets and towels clean - are there hangers - so a few weeks ago I do all my checks, it's all ok. I unpack, take off my clothes, and discover - the carpeting in the bedroom area is soaking wet! Do I now have to add that to the checklist - walk around everywhere in the room in my bare feet?
Good grief.
Erica

Hey Angel I have had the same thing happen but the Dr rang the collection center and ordered an ad on (this was two days later). I didn't know they could do this he said that they can as collection centers keep blood stored in case a retest is needed.
Would you not think a cbc would be the first thing they put on every test, I would be annoyed too!
How are you feeling anyway?

I've never any problems before this Gretchen, but I may need to double check from now on. I thought it had a FBC written on the request, maybe not though.

I am fine Milly, thanks for asking. I am getting over a slight small cold, but other then that, i am feeling really good.

Just wondered how you where going, I was sure I read you started Rituxan a while ago. Is it working ok?

Well it seems to be, i don't have anywhere near as many bruises or petechia and i have had a couple of hard falls onto the ground and didn't get a bruise at all. That is what the blood test was for though, to see what the Rituxan is actually doing to my platelet count, so i will have to just wait till next Friday to find out.

I would be annoyed too. I do not like to have my time wasted. So many medical screw-ups!

Such mistakes are extremely annoying. We monitor so much regarding our health status, medical research, symptoms (is that just a rash?), appts, work concerns. Not always successfully but I try to accept medical staff are human and stuff happens. My rule is double check everything, even if you're laying in a hospital bed,ask questions and if it doesn't seem right - demand a explanation. Active participation is a must imo.

I agree with Steve. I have been in and out of the hospital so much these past 5 (!) months. I have an adverse reaction to benedryl. EVERY time I received anything I would ask what they were giving me. Except for the last couple of times, benedryl was one of the medications! This was after I had informed my doctor and admitting nurses. Don't depend on staff knowing the side effects of a medication either. I was given percocet for pain because tylenol wasn't available at the time. A headache I had got worse and I became nauseated and dizzy. Nurse thought it was the pain and offered me another percocet (oxycodine). I declined and later found out that headaches and the other symptoms are side effects! I know that nurses are very busy, but since something like percocet seems so common, shouldn't they be familiar with the side effects?

So are your counts up Angel? I hope so.

I agree with you, Steve, and Timons. I think we must look after ourselves and double check what the doctor and nurses are doing. I was in the hospital last year for almost up to 3 weeks and had to watch out for everything. First, they were drawing too much blood and made a mess of both my arms!! And, then they would give me something for my stomach when I would have a treatment, and it would make my legs twitch. I started refusing blood draws after a while--which did make my doctors a little mad.

We have to be our own advocates! Also, now, whenever I get a blood draw, I ask for a copy right then. One time I waited and called for a copy and it took an act of "God" to get it.

Take care Angel and hope you are doing well.

Count was 14 on Friday, i'm still hopeful, I don't want to give up just yet, but I am actually feeling great and healthy at the moment

Very annoying. I hope they are not going to bill you for another draw as this was their mistake. Anytime you have a blood draw or are given medicine, Healthcare staff should be verifying your name, dob, and what is being drawen/given to you.
Stay positive. Counts will rise slowly but surely.

I'm lucky, in Australia, we have a medicare system, so i don't get billed for blood draws at all. They just copy my medicare card onto their medicare form and i just sign away. They always verify my name and dob, but nobody has every verified what tests i am having done, protocol might be different here. Thanks, from my research here reading other people's posts and from what the doctor has said, it can take sometimes up to 12 weeks before u can see a response, so i am staying positive.

Angel after they verify your name & dob then you verify with them what blood tests are going to be done - once satisfied then offer your arm to the tech

I've never done that and never had an issue before, the lady who did it that day commented only one tube today, I guess I should have asked but I was also having my potassium checked regularly and just assumed the person who wrote the request left off the potassium test. The lady should have questioned why a FBC was not there though without me having to verify, she has taken my blood several times, so she should know by now a FBC is standard for me. They noticed in pathology it wasn't there, dunno why they just didn't test the blood that was taken for a FBC too, unless their wasn't enough blood to do both potassium and FBC.

I think staying positive goes a long way in our wellbeing. Yes, sometimes it is easier said than done.
Take Care