"Concern over good practice in venepuncture"

I regularly attend phlebotomy appointments in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) to obtain blood samples for ongoing screening. I have had several experiences of very poor clinical practice at various phlebotomy departments by various practitioners. Four separate incidents have occurred in a 24 month period.

   1) Phlebotomist does not clean site before commencing venepuncture, at the time of attending the appointment I had fake tan on my skin. 

   2) Phlebotomist repalpates vein after cleaning site.

   3) Nurse completes venepuncture but states after the fact I will bruise very badly as she thinks she has punctured artery instead of vein.

   4) Phlebotomist has two attempts as I can have difficult veins, attempt 1 they repalpate vein after cleaning and attempt 2 does not clean site at all before venepuncture. 

As a qualified nurse who is competent in blood draw and venepuncture, I find it concerning this is common practice. I say it is common practice because in the last 24 months I have attended 5/6 phlebotomy appointments and 4 of those times I have witnessed unsafe poor clinical practice. It is unsafe because they are potentially introducing infection directly into my bloodstream. All of the above incidents which could have fatal consequences are easily avoidable and there is no excuse for them if the people are competent. 

I avoid telling the practitioners that I am a nurse because I expect best evidence-based practice to be followed with every patient and to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on to the practitioner. From now on I will have no choice other than to explain I am a nurse to ensure my health is not placed at risk.

But what about the thousands of patients who aren’t trained in venepuncture? Are they safe? Will their health be compromised by poor practice?