Reference no: EM133622710
Assignment:
Case Study 1
A health care worker named Sarah had been an employee for 1 year at the community hospital. She felt comfortable in her position, and her supervisor told her she was becoming more efficient and productive at her job. She decided that she could improve her productivity even more by moving through the phlebotomy procedures at a faster pace now that she had some experience under her belt. One morning, Sarah encountered a frail, thin patient who mentioned that she had had a mastectomy the previous year. Sarah identified the patient correctly and began to search for a suitable vein. She did not really feel a good one, even after checking both arms. However, she decided to go ahead and stick an arm vein in an area on the nonmastectomy side. She missed the first attempt and the second attempt at a site slightly above the first one.
Sarah realized that she should go ahead and get a warming device for the patient. She left the warming device on the patient's arm for about 30 seconds and then wanted to give it one more try. She attempted another venipuncture, but missed. She was embarrassed and apologized to the patient, but she felt confident that she could collect the blood, so she tried a fourth time on the same arm. After another failed attempt, Sarah left the room in a frustrated manner.
Questions
1. Identify three major problems with this situation.
- What should Sarah do next?
- What advice would you give Sarah?
Case Study 2
Getting on Her Nerves George, an experienced health care worker, was closing the clinic just as the last patient showed up to have her blood collected for some routine laboratory work.
The patient apologized for being late and mentioned that she was a diabetic and had to stop for an insulin injection prior to arriving. The health care worker proceeded to get the appropriate forms, requisitions, and supplies ready for the venipuncture procedure. The patient preparation and assessment, identification, and site selection process took place without incident and all was going smoothly until the actual venipuncture occurred into the basilic vein area. Suddenly, the patient screamed out in pain and could hardly sit still. George responded, "I know it hurts a little, but if you just wait a few moments, I will be finished with the procedure shortly."
Questions
1. What is the most likely cause of the pain?
2. What should George do?