Blood Draw

It was a slow day in the clinic today, but I got to do my first blood draw. I am happy to report that I managed to get the vein and the blood on the first try. I was a little scared to try last week, but this week, I was ready to go. If I haven't done a procedure before, the doctor or I tell the patient that I am a student under Dr. Soandso's direction and ask if it is okay if I do the procedure or if they don't want me to do the procedure, can I watch Dr. Soandso. (FYI: Dr. Soandso is always watching carefully whenever a medical student do anything besides a basic

history and physical). Well, today I just blurted out, "I've never done one of these before. If it is okay with you, I'm going to try, If I don't get the blood on the first stick, then someone else will draw your blood." The patient had donated blood and plasma in the past and was completely fine with me trying to draw his blood. So, with two staff members close at hand, another medical student, and Farley, who worked as a phlebotomist, I was ready to start. I felt for the vein, I tied the tourniquet, I felt the vein again, I cleaned the skin, then I inserted the needle, and to my great excitement the needle filled with blood. Farley pulled the needle a tiny bit out to help the blood flow more quickly, but I did it! I was lucky to have a patient with really nice veins, but I was also lucky to have so much help around. It is always fun and exciting to learn something new and to be a useful and helpful member of the team!