Making Phlebotomy Less Of A Bummer hemochromatosis.co.uk/tpph.html It is very important to change the venipuncture site every time to prevent scarring. If there is scarring it might help to put a special cream on it for example CONTRACTUBEX big needles are not always ideal for patients with hemochromatosis. If their veins are damaged by the use of these big needles they have a very big medical problem. Maybe blood can be drawn without much problems now, but due to scarring it might become a problem in the future. Scarring veins and other sticking problems can for a big part be prevented by the use of a smaller needle. When a smaller needle with a bloodbag is used the chances of clottng is higher. There are some solutions to this problem (more tips later in this article): * Try more needle sizes to find the one that will work. * Take an (baby) asperin 1/2-2 hour(s) before the phlebotomy, or in rare cases (for patients with a very high Hemoglobin) a blood thinner can be used. * Drink enough. * Use a vacuum bottle. The vacuum "sucks" the blood in the bottle, ensuring a constant bloodflow. Needles with size no. 19, 21, (23) should be used. A large needle (no. 16 or 17) as is used as with the usual blood donation bags should NOT be used as it might result in collapsing of the vein caused by the vacuum. When a too small needle is used the blood flow may stop. This problem can be solved by attaching a T-piece just after the needle. If the bloodflow stops a syringe can be attached immediately and by creating a bit of vacuum the flow is continued again. When using (the smallest possible) needle there is always a little chance of clotting. There are some precautions that can allmost always prevent this. The first thing is that the patient should be well hydrated. This can be done by drinking enough fluids in the 24 hours before a phlebotomy. These fluids should ideally not consist of coffee (or tea in a lesser degree), as it dehydrates. Best absorbed are fluids with 50% water and 50% juice and a LITTLE! salt (1). These can be ingested during the hours before the phlebotomy. A good option is a sport tonic (without iron!). Some patients also take 0.5 liter of the drink to the hospital and drink it the 30 minutes before the phlebotomy and drink another 0.5 liter during and after the phlebotomy. Drinking too much can be very dangerous with heart problems, so if this is the case a doctor should be consulted! thin the blood a little bit. This can be done by the use of (a natural) vitamin E (400-800IU) supplement. Vitamin E is also a very good anti-oxidant in iron overload (vit C supplements should be avoided > 200 mg!). Another option is to take one (baby) aspirin before the phlebotomy.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 03:27:43 +0000
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