"An experience at pathology"

Recently, I was referred for blood tests at Prince of Wales Hospital Pathology department level 7. I presented my referral form and was told to wait, which was fine. However, the nurse serving me seemed pretty agitated from the start and wasn’t very friendly. This made me feel very hesitant and getting bloods taken is already such a stressful and anxiety provoking experience in itself.

When the nurse proceeded to take my blood I felt they did so in an abrupt manner and showed no compassion. I wasn’t asked whether I do well with blood tests or not or whether I would prefer to lie down or not. I had on a tight jumper and a vest underneath; I said that I was okay to just be in my vest if it would make the blood taking process easier.

After the blood was taken, I wasn’t asked to check, but had this gut feel that I should check my details on the blood sample. Upon checking the details, I found that my surname was spelt incorrectly. I notified the nurse and they corrected the spelling and admitted that they had made a mistake. The nurse expressed that they hadn’t had a break yet and that they have had a tough day. I was understanding of this and thought my experience would improve. I then recall being told in a harsh abrupt tone, okay thank you! I was holding the cotton wool to my arm at this point and noticed that there was more blood coming out and expressed my concern. The nurse seemed agitated and wanted me to use the used cotton wool that was already a bit bloody. I nervously asked if I could get a new piece of cotton wool because I needed to contain the blood. I also asked for some tape and a band-aid, none of which were offered to me before asking. The nurse did so and handed me some extra band-aids to use but they did so in a harsh manner and appeared frustrated by my arm bleeding and by my requests. The nurse then handled my bloody cotton wool and my blood sample without a glove. I cannot recall if they were wearing gloves at the start or whether they just weren’t wearing gloves at this part, but it did concern me. I recall I was then told thank you! as if to indicate that I must leave now. I was so bewildered at this point that I hurriedly moved out of the section of the room where bloods get taken. Although I had a small vest on, I didn’t plan to be wearing just that in front of all the other people waiting in line to get their bloods taken. I felt embarrassed, disappointed and concerned for all those people that would have to get their bloods taken next. I sheepishly and tearfully crouched onto the floor and discretely tried to put my jumper and jacket back on, with many people’s eyes on me (I believe probably feeling shocked and embarrassed for me). It was a really unpleasant experience and one I hope no one has to experience again.

I have written my story because I feel that I have a responsibility to speak up so that action is taken and that changes are made, so people more vulnerable than myself don't have to experience what I had to. I am also writing my story because I want the nurse to understand that they cannot act this way with their patients. I feel that self reflection is important and I hope that the nurse reflects on their service delivery and bedside manner and finds better ways to cope with their stresses so that they can provide better health care services going forward.

We are all very vulnerable as patients and I feel we should be treated with respect, kindness and dignity no matter what. I believe nurses tend to be overworked and I understand that this nurse might have been having a bad day personally or in the work place, but in my opinion, you cannot take it out on your patients. We require extra care and when it comes to taking bloods and when labelling bloods- I feel professionalism is of the utmost importance.

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A concerned patient from Prince of Wales Hospital who had bloods taken at the Pathology department level 7.