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Newborn blood test

Posted By KRHExp

"Newborn blood test"

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus / Kalgoorlie Outpatient Clinic PathWest Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital Collection Centre

(as a parent/guardian),

I was requested by a doctor to get some blood tests done on my newborn baby. At the time of picking up the request form I was advised to go to the ward for the tests as it was for a baby. 

I went to the ward, who after consultation with an outpatient doctor sent me to the pathwest lab. The attendant at the pathwest lab then repeatedly mentioned they don't usually do blood tests on babies and it really should be done by the staff on the ward. They then attempted to take blood from my baby's arm unsuccessfully (their arm turned purple) so we could show we've attempted it, all for me to get sent back to the ward for them to take blood from my baby's hand. 

To have staff at the same hospital provide different advice, and have one tell me they don't usually/aren't the best to do it but we'll give it a try caused a lot of stress for myself and unnecessary attempted procedures on my baby. I am not impressed at all with the experience we had. 

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Responses

Response from Gordana Tomesic, a/Operations Manager, Regional and Support Services, PathWest 13 months ago
Gordana Tomesic
a/Operations Manager, Regional and Support Services,
PathWest

Manages the Regional and Support Services for PathWest

Submitted on 22/03/2023 at 5:17 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:30 PM

Dear KRHExp,

I was deeply disappointed to hear about the stressful experience you had with your newborn baby's blood tests. It is understandable that receiving conflicting information and having your baby undergo multiple attempts for the blood test can be distressing.

To address the issue, I have shared your experience with the Medical Scientist in Charge of Kalgoorlie PathWest laboratory and I would like to assure you that we are taking actions to improve communication procedures and staff training to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention, and please be assured that we are committed to providing the best possible healthcare experience for our patients.

Kind regards,

Gordana Tomasevic

A/Operations Manager - PathWest Regional and Support Services

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Response from Alicia Michalanney, A/Director, Kalgoorlie Health Campus, WA Country Health Service 13 months ago
We have made a change
Alicia Michalanney
A/Director, Kalgoorlie Health Campus,
WA Country Health Service

Leader of the teams and services at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus

Submitted on 28/03/2023 at 5:20 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:34 PM

picture of Alicia Michalanney

Dear KRHExp,

Thank you for reaching out to tell us your story and show us an area of our service that we can improve in for our patients and their families. I very sorry for your experience, having to come and access services with your newborn must have been difficult enough, not to mention the challenge of inconsistent information between the teams.

We have taken this opportunity to link together the staff from the ward and PathWest to make sure that communication is improved for any other parents that need to access our service.

If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to give me a call on 9080 5817.

Kind regards

Alicia

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