My best friend's hospital stay

[Akasa]

My best friend was in the hospital again with kidney stones, and the nurse when she went to put in the IV really screwed it up to the point that my best friend was "GET IT OUT GET IT OUT GET IT OUT GET IT OUT GET IT OUT" *reach over yank it out*
Nurse: "Oh did it hurt?"
My best friend cursed up a storm and didn't let her try again.
6 days later her hand is swollen and bruised, like she blew a vein, but when she blows a vein it goes down in a day.

Later on she called the nurses station for something and the nurse didn't hang the phone up all the way and made a comment that it was the bitch(in Spanish) in room 325, then when her husband went to the nurses station and raised hell she had the nerve to lie and say she didn't say it. He was like she can be a bitch, but hang up the phone before you call her one that was really unprofessional.

The charge nurse came in and was shocked to hear it and was like yeah we do have a nurse that uses that phrase. That first nurse didn't come around any more.

[firecat88]

:eek: *huge hugs to your friend* Good night. So many unacceptable things going on in this story.

First of all, you do *not* just rip out an IV. Even if it's been put in wrong the first time (which I'm convinced you should always get an anesthesiologist to do IVs anyway. They're better at it than a lot of nurses), you remove the damn thing carefully and slowly. Because, yes, improper placement and removal of those things will leave a baseball-sized bruise. I know this first-hand.


Second, you do *not* badmouth patients behind their backs while you're on the clock. If you want to vent about a patient you disliked, do it at home on your own time. Not at the freakin' desk where someone is definitely going to end up overhearing and it'll come back to bite you in the ass.

Thirdly....calling someone a bitch like it's her fault, rather than owning up to the fact that you're the one who messed up the IV and caused her to be in so much pain? So not right.

[Gawdzillers]

:eek: *huge hugs to your friend* Good night. So many unacceptable things going on in this story.

First of all, you do *not* just rip out an IV. Even if it's been put in wrong the first time (which I'm convinced you should always get an anesthesiologist to do IVs anyway. They're better at it than a lot of nurses), you remove the damn thing carefully and slowly. Because, yes, improper placement and removal of those things will leave a baseball-sized bruise. I know this first-hand.I think her friend's the one that ripped it out, not the nurse.

[Thatgirl71]

I'm sorry your friend had such a bad experience while in the hospital. Sounds to me like that nurse is burning out and needs to take a break.
I know how it feels to be given a bad time by a nurse, I had a very bad experience with one that to this day I can't even talk about or barely think about or I get the shakes. Luckily, like your friend, I had family members that took care of it, but I hope to never have to go through that again.

[Sapphire Silk]

(which I'm convinced you should always get an anesthesiologist to do IVs anyway. They're better at it than a lot of nurses)

I respectfully disagree on this part. First of all, it does not make financial sense for a hospital to have an anesthesiologist do a task a trained nurse is perfectly capable of doing. Starting IVs is really not that hard to perfect as a skill . . . it simply takes practice.

Even the best will sometimes miss a vein.

Many nurses are as skilled or more skilled than an anesthesiologist. Nurses who work in the OR, ICU, ER, IV therapy teams, or outpatient surgeries put in IVs all day long.

Nurses on med surg units. . . . maybe not so much. Long term care? Hardly ever.

That being said, the patient in the OP had a horrible experience. The nurse couldn't admit she did a bad job on the IV and apologize, then took it out on the patient at the nurses station. Totally unprofessional . . . and it makes me angry.

I've been the victim of a bad IV job. When I was in the hospital with the flu, badly dehydrated, my IV infiltrated (leaked into the soft tissues of the hand). The nurse who tried to restart stuck the needle into a tendon . . . then said, "hold still, I've almost got it," when I started crying in pain. "It's in the tendon, the tendon!" I wouldn't let her have a second stick, and told her to call the ER.

They sent a paramedic to restart it. He stuck me once, and I didn't even feel it. Whew!

[Teskeria]

The only person to successfully get an iv in me in less than 3 attempts (average is 5-10) was an neonatal nurse. Of course considering the size of the veins she usually worked with, my tiny disappearing ones were nothing....

[Seshat]

I would far prefer an experienced nurse or phlebotomist than almost anyone else.

And yes, by 'experienced nurse' I mean one who starts IVs or draws blood multiple times a day, most working days.

[AccountingDrone]

The only person to successfully get an iv in me in less than 3 attempts (average is 5-10) was an neonatal nurse. Of course considering the size of the veins she usually worked with, my tiny disappearing ones were nothing....

The phlebotomist at Yale New Haven I normally go to for testing sidelines at a vet clinic. He says if you can set an IV in a cat, you can set one anywhere.

[DeltaSierra]

:eek: *huge hugs to your friend* Good night. So many unacceptable things going on in this story.

First of all, you do *not* just rip out an IV. Even if it's been put in wrong the first time (which I'm convinced you should always get an anesthesiologist to do IVs anyway. They're better at it than a lot of nurses), you remove the damn thing carefully and slowly. Because, yes, improper placement and removal of those things will leave a baseball-sized bruise. I know this first-hand.


Try a mind-boggling THIRTEEN (yes you read that correctly) attempts to get an IV in me the last time I was hospitalized (severe reaction to an antibiotic + dehydration) - they eventually called - you guessed it - the anesthesiologist! He got it on his first try (I'd gone thru 2 phlebotomists, 1 nurse and a resident all attempting before the anesthesiologist was called.) This scares me... I go for a 2-week phlebotomy practical at my local hospital starting May 16!!! :eek:

[Akasa]

For the record it was my best friend that took the IV out. Not the nurse.

[Primer]

My problem is these new-fangled IV sets that "push" the catheter in rather than the nurse setting it in. I have tough, getting-leathery skin on my hands. the catheter gets caught somewhere on the way in and bends. It also hurts like a :censored: I have a perfectly good, easy to use vein inside the left elbow. I understand that medics don't like to use that one, but for a short duration, where I won't be bending my arm, why not?

[Sapphire Silk]

My problem is these new-fangled IV sets that "push" the catheter in rather than the nurse setting it in. I have tough, getting-leathery skin on my hands. the catheter gets caught somewhere on the way in and bends. It also hurts like a :censored: I have a perfectly good, easy to use vein inside the left elbow. I understand that medics don't like to use that one, but for a short duration, where I won't be bending my arm, why not?

The point of those kits is to actually help the nurse slide the catheter in, while also trapping the needle so the nurse can't accidentally stick herself later. They take a little practice to learn to use. There also are a variety of styles, each work a little differently but hospitals tend to buy the ones from the company that offers the best deal rather than the best technology.

The secret to a successful IV insertion is to push the needle a fraction more into the vein after you get blood return ("flash") because the tip of the needle extends slightly past the end of the catheter. The risk is you might push too far and go completely through the vein. That's the tricky part of IV insertion. But if you do it right the catheter simply slides into the vein.

Sometimes you run into a valve that prevents the catheter from advancing. If you've pulled the needle back too soon, the cath will bend and is harder to advance. Sometimes you can "float" a catheter past a valve like this by connecting the catheter to a syringe filled with saline, or to the IV line which you then open. The pressure from the fluid will force the valve open, and you can slide the catheter through it. It doesn't always work though :(

I don't like to use the crook of the elbow, either ( the antecubital or AC space). In many patients even the slightest flexion or extension of the elbow will bend the IV cath and stop the IV from flowing, and many patients can't tolerate holding their arm still for even a few hours. I'll use it in an emergency, but may restart a new one somewhere else later if the patient is going to be in the hospital for any length of time.

We also like to start low and work our way up the arm. If a vein blows, you can't restart below that site; you'll just cause swelling and edema. You have to go above. So if you start too high and blow a vein, you could lose access to the entire arm until the vein heals.

I try to avoid starting them over joints (fingers, the wrist, and the AC) because any flexion or extension of the joint could cause the site to become "positional" . . . it will flow only if the joint is in just the right position.

[Seshat]

Panacea,

It's really interesting to hear these reasons for things. Thank you for being willing to explain them.

[jnd4rusty]

I have only had an IV once in my life and they had a hell of a time trying to get it in, they could not "find" my veins so they finally gave me something that, I guess they give to heart attack victims, is supposed to enlarge your veins or something like that. All I know is after they gave me that then it only took one shot at finding a vein. (I detest needles!!!!)

[Sapphire Silk]

Panacea,

It's really interesting to hear these reasons for things. Thank you for being willing to explain them.

My pleasure :) I figure I'm doing both patient and nurse a favor by helping people understand the whys and wherefores of what we nurses do. If it helps make an encounter with a health care provider satisfactory, or empowers a patient to speak up when they're not, then I figure I'm doing my most important job as a nurse: patient advocate :D

I have only had an IV once in my life and they had a hell of a time trying to get it in, they could not "find" my veins so they finally gave me something that, I guess they give to heart attack victims, is supposed to enlarge your veins or something like that. All I know is after they gave me that then it only took one shot at finding a vein. (I detest needles!!!!)

Hmm. I'm not sure what that could be . . . I don't know of anything other than heat that is used to enlarge veins.

Sometimes we'll use something call EMLA cream, which is a numbing cream, to reduce pain. It doesn't always work, and has to sit there for 15-20 minutes even when it does work, so I don't like to use it in the ER much. Or sometimes I'll inject a little 1% lidocaine into the soft tissue around a vein to numb the area . . . but that hurts too, so I don't always see the point in bothering.

[Twinblade]

My wife has really bad veins too, and it is always an ordeal when she needs an IV. only twice has she gotten an IV placed with one stick. once they used a machine that basically shone a light onto the arm and they could see on the screen where the veins were. the other time still makes us laugh to this day(it was nearly a decade ago) The nurse told us he used to be an army medic, and that he had no problems with small veins, but started by saying to her, i will apologize now, I honestly cannot hear screams anymore, so if it hurts you need to calmly tell me. she said ok, and he bent his head down, stuck the needle in, my wife started screaming that it hurt like a mother, then he flushed it, and it stopped hurting immediately, then he looked up and said, and i quote, "See told you it would be easy, you weren't even bouncing in the back of a humvee with both of us ducking gunshots..." then we all laughed, and we requested him EVERY TIME SHE NEEDED BLOOD DRAWN AGAIN! because he would actually GET IT IN RIGHT...

[charred]

The hematomato strikes again, I see. ;)

[Shalom]

Aaugh. I knew I shouldn't have started reading this thread. (hides in corner with arms folded so insides of elbows are not visible)

[jedimaster91]

which I'm convinced you should always get an anesthesiologist to do IVs anyway. They're better at it than a lot of nurses

We imaging techs are good too. Me personally, not as good as I'd like to be since I don't get to practice as much, but my collegues who work full time and start IVs on 90% of their patients rock.

Unlike Pancea, I do like the crook of the elbow. The vein there is usually bigger and my patients are going to be laying on a table not bending their arm. I have gone on the side of the wrist before because it was the only option I had. But I didn't like it and neither did the patient.

And I hate our IV needles. The "safety feature" is a tiny metal piece that covers the tip of the needle when it comes out of the catheter. They also splatter when pulled. Then we have the extension tubing with a hub that's hard to screw a syringe into and is messy. At least twice I've contaminated myself with my radioactive tracers because our IV stuff sucks.

Second, you do *not* badmouth patients behind their backs while you're on the clock. If you want to vent about a patient you disliked, do it at home on your own time. Not at the freakin' desk where someone is definitely going to end up overhearing and it'll come back to bite you in the ass.

Or, yunno, at least be out of earshot. Ah the joys of having a tech office with restricted access. :D

[lilnizzie]

How about a nurse trying to get a vein for a blood draw...

Trying 3 times to find a vein...saying "I can't get it, let me get another nurse"

I look over to my arm to see...

the needle sticking out of my arm. IN the arm. She had left the needle part way into my arm.

I was NOT amused, and the nurse that came in was beyond shocked. She pulled it out, threw it out, and then walked out, where I could then hear her yelling at the previous nurse...

Yeah. I've actually just gone through 2 i.v's in 2 weeks (one in the elbow, one in the back of the hand) and i'm feeling a bit tender...

[RetailMom]

I'm an easy stick. Very high pain tolerance, and big, easy to see veins. For some reason medical types always choose the back of my hand... Hate that! I feel like I can't grip anything. The nurses that took care of me when I was in labor chose to put the IV lock in the back of my hand...with both kids. It made me feel as if that entire arm was useless. In hindsight I should have spoken up, but I wasn't really thinking clearly at the time.

[Eisa]

*shudders in pain*

I hate IVs...I hate IVs...they always hurt so much more than regular blood draws...

I even take pictures of IV hook-ups. :p Like the one in my hand the last time. That fucker hurt every last second it was in. My mom said that was "normal."

[PepperElf]

I think your friend should also make a note of mentioning it to the hospital.

If the nurse feels free to call patients names on the floor, this might not be the first time she's done it. Plus, on top of that, she lied to the husband when confronted.

Does the hospital really need a nurse who will lie to protect herself?

[Misanthropical]

We also like to start low and work our way up the arm. If a vein blows, you can't restart below that site; you'll just cause swelling and edema. You have to go above. So if you start too high and blow a vein, you could lose access to the entire arm until the vein heals.

I try to avoid starting them over joints (fingers, the wrist, and the AC) because any flexion or extension of the joint could cause the site to become "positional" . . . it will flow only if the joint is in just the right position.

I was in the hospital for 5 days and both my arms look like complete shit from veins being blown, swelling and bruises going up and down my arm from all the IV sticks and moving the needle around while looking for the vein.

I don't know what was going on at the hospital I was at but no patient should have to endure what I did just to get an IV in and I do wish more hospital people would ask for help from someone who is truly skilled at putting an IV in instead of trying to cover for themselves and causing more harm to the patient!

I am now wondering if the screaming old woman on my floor who kept me awake with her constant screaming for 5 days was screaming because of her IV? If she was, I can't say I blame her! I felt like screaming.

[Sapphire Silk]

Unlike Panacea, I do like the crook of the elbow. The vein there is usually bigger and my patients are going to be laying on a table not bending their arm. I have gone on the side of the wrist before because it was the only option I had. But I didn't like it and neither did the patient.

Well, your purpose in starting the IV is different than mine. Your access is short term: long enough for the procedure to be done, then the IV isn't your worry and probably will come right out (unless its an ER patient, then it might not).

When I start an IV, I have multiple purposes in mind. If I know the patient is going for a radiology study, I will go for a large bore for the contrast. If I need to give rapid fluids or blood ditto. Other access I have more options in terms of size and site, but in all circumstances I want the IV to be usable for the 72 hours it is likely to stay in.

And I hate our IV needles. The "safety feature" is a tiny metal piece that covers the tip of the needle when it comes out of the catheter. They also splatter when pulled. Then we have the extension tubing with a hub that's hard to screw a syringe into and is messy. At least twice I've contaminated myself with my radioactive tracers because our IV stuff sucks.

Ugh. I know the brand you are talking about. They should be withdrawn from the market for the very reason you cite. Hospitals buy them because they are cheaper than the other types. But they are very dangerous.[/QUOTE]

I was in the hospital for 5 days and both my arms look like complete shit from veins being blown, swelling and bruises going up and down my arm from all the IV sticks and moving the needle around while looking for the vein.

I don't know what was going on at the hospital I was at but no patient should have to endure what I did just to get an IV in and I do wish more hospital people would ask for help from someone who is truly skilled at putting an IV in instead of trying to cover for themselves and causing more harm to the patient!

I am now wondering if the screaming old woman on my floor who kept me awake with her constant screaming for 5 days was screaming because of her IV? If she was, I can't say I blame her! I felt like screaming.

She was probably sundowning.

However, a lot of times doctors order IV access in patients who otherwise wouldn't need it so they can give pain or nausea meds. Patients like them because they don't want multiple sticks for IM injections.

But getting those meds IM (intramuscular) has an advantage: they stay in the system longer than IV. IV they work faster, and are metabolized out faster. IM they absorb slower. IV meds might last a couple of hours in some patients, but up to 8 if given IM.

Next time you're in the hospital ask the doctor directly how necessary an IV is. If he's willing to give certain meds IM, you might be able to skip the IV pin cushion.

Of course, some meds have to be given IV: certain antibiotics, and of course fluids for rehydration or nutrition.

[Misanthropical]

Panacea The woman was always and I do mean always screaming unless she was asleep or someone was feeding her. All I know is I was ready to drop from lack of sleep by the time I got home. I don't think I got more than a couple hours of sleep on the floor the whole time I was there and that was with IV sleep meds and a Benedryl. The only thing she ever said the whole time I was there was done when she was screaming alone in her room and that was "HELP ME!" "NO!"

I don't mind in the least having an IV. That wasn't the issue. The issue was when they were put in and the needle dug around looking for the vein. It kept happening over and over again as the vein would give out/burn out and they had to reinsert the IV. I swear to all that is holy that my arms look like someone beat the ever loving shit out of them. I have had plenty of IVs in my life and my arms have never looked like this afterwards.

[jnd4rusty]

Quote-Hmm. I'm not sure what that could be . . . I don't know of anything other than heat that is used to enlarge veins. Unquote

I actually do not know..that is what they told me at the time but this has been about fourteen years ago so I don't remember too much about it.

[Eisa]

I keep ending up with IVs for dehydration... :( It's not like I deliberately plan to have something happen where I need to have either a blood test or do a pee test and I've not drunk enough that day... :rolleyes: [Although I probably am perpetually dehydrated and that's really not very good. :( ]

[Sapphire Silk]

Panacea The woman was always and I do mean always screaming unless she was asleep or someone was feeding her. All I know is I was ready to drop from lack of sleep by the time I got home. I don't think I got more than a couple hours of sleep on the floor the whole time I was there and that was with IV sleep meds and a Benedryl. The only thing she ever said the whole time I was there was done when she was screaming alone in her room and that was "HELP ME!" "NO!"

I don't mind in the least having an IV. That wasn't the issue. The issue was when they were put in and the needle dug around looking for the vein. It kept happening over and over again as the vein would give out/burn out and they had to reinsert the IV. I swear to all that is holy that my arms look like someone beat the ever loving shit out of them. I have had plenty of IVs in my life and my arms have never looked like this afterwards.

That's a real shame. I'm betting some form of dementia. When people with dementia end up in the hospital, they act that way because they are frightened . . . they don't know where they are or why they are there.

Yeowch. I hate it when that happens. I won't dig for more than a couple of seconds (sometimes you have to, the needle pushes the vein away instead of peircing it) because I know it is painful. :(

You have some chronic health problems, right? Ask your doc about a PICC line if you're in a situation like this again. It's a longer form of IV access that has to be specially placed, but is used in situations where veins keep burning out. They last longer, and you don't have the constantly having to be restarted issues.

[Seshat]

She was probably sundowning.

What's sundowning?

[Ironclad Alibi]

What's sundowning?

From Wikipedia: Sundowning. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundowning_(dementia))

[jedimaster91]

Ugh. I know the brand you are talking about. They should be withdrawn from the market for the very reason you cite. Hospitals buy them because they are cheaper than the other types. But they are very dangerous.

I had to laugh today. We have an anonymous hotline which employees can call if they have a question or concern about something within the organization. Then they pick a few questions and send out answers in a weekly e-mail. I called a few weeks ago about the IV sets. The response was the poster child for reading comprehension fail. I was complaining about the IV needle and its (lack of) safety features. The response was telling me how the organization has gone to needless IV sets and how I shouldn't have to worry about needle sticks because I shouldn't be using needles with the tubing and stuff.

Exactly how am I meant to get the IV in the patient, then? :rolleyes:

I also complained about the leaky tubing. I was assured it was the most secure tubing and if I notice a drop of blood on the end of the hub to just wipe it off with an alcohol pad. Frankly, it's not the blood I was worried about. I'm more concerned about the radioactive contamination. That stupid hub has dripped on me at least twice and last time I had to leave my scrub top in the lead cabinet overnight so the radioactivity could decay.

This new push for a "culture of safety" they're doing really makes me laugh sometimes. :rolleyes:

ETA: Luckily, Boss Lady says those IV sets are being looked at by the higher ups and should be going away soon. I really hope we go back to the ones with a spring-loaded needle. Push the button and the needle pops into the plastic casing. Only way you're getting a needle stick with those is if you're being an idiot.

[Misanthropical]

Panacea I have chronic back problems not health problems. They are hoping this surgery will take care of that problem, so there is no real reason for a PICC line.

[AccountingDrone]

That's a real shame. I'm betting some form of dementia. When people with dementia end up in the hospital, they act that way because they are frightened . . . they don't know where they are or why they are there.


That is why when my mom fell earlier this year I stayed in hospital with her [alzheimers] the 3 days she was admitted so she would have someone she knew around her, also I have her medical power of atty.

[Seshat]

From Wikipedia: Sundowning. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundowning_(dementia))

Thanks, Ironclad Alibi. That's helpful.

(I should have looked it up myself. Duh.)

[Sapphire Silk]

The response was telling me how the organization has gone to needless IV sets and how I shouldn't have to worry about needle sticks because I shouldn't be using needles with the tubing and stuff.

Exactly how am I meant to get the IV in the patient, then? :rolleyes:

:doh: Oh good lord. A classic example of why non-medical people should not be making purchasing decisions . . .

I also complained about the leaky tubing. I was assured it was the most secure tubing and if I notice a drop of blood on the end of the hub to just wipe it off with an alcohol pad. Frankly, it's not the blood I was worried about. I'm more concerned about the radioactive contamination. That stupid hub has dripped on me at least twice and last time I had to leave my scrub top in the lead cabinet overnight so the radioactivity could decay.

This new push for a "culture of safety" they're doing really makes me laugh sometimes. :rolleyes:

:eek: Oh my!

I'd leave the top there and never bring it home. I don't need to glow in the dark.

But yeah, it makes me laugh when I hear administrators talk their bs about a culture of safety. Injuries seem to increase soon there after . . . .

ETA: Luckily, Boss Lady says those IV sets are being looked at by the higher ups and should be going away soon. I really hope we go back to the ones with a spring-loaded needle. Push the button and the needle pops into the plastic casing. Only way you're getting a needle stick with those is if you're being an idiot.

I like those. They're great . . . no chance at all to stick yourself once you hit the button. They're tricky to use at first though, takes a bit of a learning curve. But once you get used them, they're awesome.

Panacea I have chronic back problems not health problems. They are hoping this surgery will take care of that problem, so there is no real reason for a PICC line.

Oops. Sorry. :o

Thanks, Ironclad Alibi. That's helpful.

(I should have looked it up myself. Duh.)

Or I could have just been more clear with my post. Sorry about that . . . I should define the jargon I throw around. :o

[Ironclad Alibi]

Or I could have just been more clear with my post. Sorry about that . . . I should define the jargon I throw around. :o

Now that would just take the challenge out of reading your posts. If you explained everything, I'd have find another reason to use Google.

[pageantmama]

Try a mind-boggling THIRTEEN (yes you read that correctly) attempts to get an IV in me the last time I was hospitalized (severe reaction to an antibiotic + dehydration) - they eventually called - you guessed it - the anesthesiologist! He got it on his first try (I'd gone thru 2 phlebotomists, 1 nurse and a resident all attempting before the anesthesiologist was called.) This scares me... I go for a 2-week phlebotomy practical at my local hospital starting May 16!!! :eek:


I have you beat with 17 tries, lol. It always takes at least 5 or more tries and at least 3 people to stick me. I always tell them I am a hard stick and I don't mean any offense but please let someone with experience with hard to hit veins try first. And of course the nurse gets all offended and says she can do it and misses 2 or 3 times and calls someone else in. If they would just listen and not think I am being a meanie. Plus the fact I am scared to death of IV's or getting blood drawn because of a childhood experience with 2 nurses holding me down when I was 7 while another nurse DUG the needle all around my hand trying to hit the vain and then telling me to stop screaming so she could concentrate:cry:

Anyway with my pregnancies I had hypermesis really bad. I could not even hold water down so I was in the hospital several times during each pregnancy on IV's getting pumped with fluids and anti nausea meds. I could not hold down the oral meds so they did not do any good. I was in there and of course being a hard stick and dehydrated I warned them and the nurse wanted to try anyway. She tried and I think 4 other nurses tried. It got to the point they blew 3 or 4 veins. Then it got to the point there was a nurse holding each arm while the nurses on either side was trying both arms, wrists, and hands. Poking me at the same time:eek: It brought back the memories of me at 7 and I started freaking out. My husband didn't know what to do and was slowly having a panic attack over the situation I think. He left the room to go to the front desk at the ER and tell them what was going on. Finally an administrator came running in and saw the nurses holding my arms with 2 nurses pricking me at the same time and ordered them all out of the room. She brought in another person, not sure what their job was. They gave me something in the mask to help calm me down and slowly tried and got me on their second try. They made a remark it was a miracle I had any veins left after those 4 nurses got ahold of me:eek: There were 17 pokes in all including the two the guy did.

The administrator came back in to see me after I was feeling better and told me to fill out a complaint form. I was so relieved about feeling a little better that I was not even thinking about filling a formal complaint. She said she was horrified at how I was treated and she would be taking disciplinary action with the nurses. I told her I even warned them about my veins and they insisted on trying anyway. I was so bruised and sore I looked like someone beat me.

[jedimaster91]

I'd leave the top there and never bring it home. I don't need to glow in the dark.

Eh, it's a 6 hour half-life gamma emitter. Overnight is plenty of time for it to decay to background and the tracer itself is not dangerous. But it is annoying to have to wear stuff from the hospital laundry that's 4 sizes too big.

I like those. They're great . . . no chance at all to stick yourself once you hit the button. They're tricky to use at first though, takes a bit of a learning curve. But once you get used them, they're awesome.

I rarely miss with those. The ones I seem to miss the most often are the butterfly ones (not the infusion/blood draw sets, the actual IV) followed closely by our current crappy, unsafe ones.

[rose_metal_nz]

Worst experience with an IV? Back of my hand, hurt like the devil going in (and I have by the way *fantastic* veins) and then every. single. time. anythign went thru it, it hurt to the point where I was screaming. Another nurse came by & had a look, told me the point was up against the valve? or something? (please correct/inform me here). After it was taken out, it blew up like a balloon, and after weeks and finally getting cream from the doc for it, the vein just.. disappeared :lol: I'm not even kidding, it's no longer even visible. All the rest are. I have no idea what causes this or what it means??

... Funny thing (well, horrible thing) happened similar was when I was preg with my daughter, I had to have very regular blood tests, and one time I got a different nurse... Now, I have, as I said, FANTASTIC big veins. They usually take blood from my right inside-of-elbow. First thing this lady did that confused me was go for the left? I even pointed it out... *shrugs* OK, no worries, how bad can it be?

... She put the needle in ACROSS THE VEIN. I don't know the medical terminology here but it was screamingly painful and took a huge amount of time just to get 1 vial of blood - and they needed I think half a dozen. I ended up making them stop after a couple. For the rest of the week, I had rippling bruises going out my whole arm, from fingertip to shoulder. It looked horrific!

But what'd have to take the cake would be when my daughter was in Starship (Childrens' hospital, lovely place actually) to get her tonsils out. Last day, about to leave, and the nurse comes by to take the drip out of her arm. She turns, for JUST ONE MOMENT... And MiniMe rips the whole thing out :eek: It was jetting blood like a geyser! The poor nurse went white as a sheet - but managed to sort everything out. Luckily, MiniMe was more concerned about the blood on her shirt than any pain (or the sight of so much blood), but phewwww!

[Duncan MacLeod]

:eek: *huge hugs to your friend* Good night. So many unacceptable things going on in this story.

First of all, you do *not* just rip out an IV. Even if it's been put in wrong the first time (which I'm convinced you should always get an anesthesiologist to do IVs anyway. They're better at it than a lot of nurses), you remove the damn thing carefully and slowly. Because, yes, improper placement and removal of those things will leave a baseball-sized bruise. I know this first-hand.


Second, you do *not* badmouth patients behind their backs while you're on the clock. If you want to vent about a patient you disliked, do it at home on your own time. Not at the freakin' desk where someone is definitely going to end up overhearing and it'll come back to bite you in the ass.

Thirdly....calling someone a bitch like it's her fault, rather than owning up to the fact that you're the one who messed up the IV and caused her to be in so much pain? So not right.

I was having major surgery on a broken foot, and they put the IV in wrong, and my arm started to blow up like a balloon. 20 minutes later during which time i was banging on the call button and no nurse... so slowly i pull it out... Its rather disturbing though, for something like that to happen...