I actually just had one of the best blood draw experiences I’ve ever had.  Let me walk you through it so it is super easy.

STEP 1: When your doctor orders your blood to be drawn, express that you feel blood work is helpful and would like to get it done. This shows agreement with your doctor about it. Then express that you are a hard stick, which is a term to define that your veins collapse quickly and it’s hard to find a good one that gives blood.

STEP 2: For those reasons, ask your doctor to print out the lab request and write that you are a “hard stick”.

Example: 

“Pt is a hard stick. Draw 1/4 vials only. Pt will faint.”

STEP 4: Once you go to the blood draw lab, you are empowered to have an open conversation with your phlebotomist. 

Example: 

“Here’s my paper copy of my blood requisition, please. My doc has written details as to why I need 1/4 vials drawn only.  I know you have a protocol to fill to a certain amount, but because I will faint if too much blood is drawn and because I’m a hard stick, you must only draw quarter vials.”

The lab has never not taken my sample and processed it and I have 1/4 vials only drawn all of the time in all my prior blood draws. The lab will accept it as they only need a drop and I am seasoned and know that they will accept it because they always do.

Example:

“(Phlebotomist name) are you willing to draw quarter vials? If yes, please show me where on the tube you will fill it to.”

Have the phlebotomist show you on the tube, and then either you correct them to the 1/4 vial line or or say ok to what they show you.

STEP 5: If your phlebotomist says no, and that they won’t draw quarter vials, politely ask which phlebotomist or what supervisor is willing to draw only quarter vials.  Kindly remind them that your doctor has documented that it’s necessary.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1. Prayer: Ask for the Angels of Light to help you in all of the details around this confidence, politeness, gratefulness.
2. Light-Heart: I make sure I am uber light-hearted and abundantly polite and thankful to my phlebotomist. Asking how they are when first meeting and asking their name. Using their name and making chit chat I often will say I’ve had such bad blood draw experiences in the past, so I’m so thankful that they’re willing to help me.
3. Consequences: Share any consequences you will experience if too much blood is drawn. Example: “It is really important that not too much blood is drawn or I will faint. I have ended up in the ER in the past after too much blood has been drawn. Even a few days after a blood draw, I have gotten really sick and gone to the hospital because of them taking too much blood. My body just doesn’t handle blood draws well. That’s why my doctor now explains I can only have 1/4 vials drawn.”
4. Confidence: Be confident. This is your body and you are in charge. If you get a no, go on a different day, ask for a supervisor, and just keep being persistent until you get a yes. I have successfully had 1/4 vials drawn now for well over 2 years.
5. What the Test Requires: I also asked the phlebotomist to let me know how many different tubes the test requires. I don’t ever do more than 4 or 5 1/4 vial tubes at one blood draw time.