E-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign up for email newsletters
E-Edition
Trending:
Examining your blood can give your doctor important information about your health. Blood tests can help determine whether your organs are working properly, identify infections or problems with your immune system, and diagnose a range of diseases and health conditions.
So, whether it’s a regular screening or a test to look for a specific problem, you’re likely to need to have blood drawn at some point.
Colton Redding, DO, a family medicine physician with Banner Health Center in Loveland, Colorado, said the process usually takes less than five minutes.
Here’s what happens when you have blood drawn
When you have a blood sample taken, first you check in, then the phlebotomist (the health care professional who draws your blood) will bring you back to the draw station. You’ll sit down, and they will likely confirm your identity, then start the process.
They prep your draw site by cleaning the area — they usually draw blood from the inside of your elbow. Then they place a needle into an accessible vein and use vacuum tubes to draw out the blood samples. When they are finished, they bandage the site. Depending on the tests your doctor requested, they may fill several small tubes.
Afterward, you should keep the bandage on for one to two hours and watch the site for any changes. There’s a risk of bleeding and bruising and a rare chance of infection or clotting. Otherwise, you’re free to go about your normal activities.
Here’s how to make the blood draw easier
Dr. Redding shared these tips for making your blood draw go a little more smoothly:
Here’s what to do if blood or needles make you nervous
A lot of people are apprehensive about having blood drawn. Getting plenty of rest and practicing mindfulness techniques can help you feel calmer before and during the procedure.
“Breathing exercises or a guided meditation to manage any stress can be very helpful,” Dr. Redding said.
If you have a phobia related to blood draws, talk about it with your primary care provider and see if other alternatives might work for you.
The bottom line
A blood draw is an important test that gives your doctor crucial information about your health. With a few easy steps, you can make the process go as smoothly as possible.
If you need to connect with a primary care provider to manage your health, East Morgan County Hospital can help with two clinic location, Banner Family Medicine in Brush and Banner Health Center in Fort Morgan. Please call 970-842-CARE to schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor.
Direct-To-Consumer Lab Testing
Direct-to-consumer testing (also referred to as Direct Access Testing) for laboratory services can be compared to over-the-counter medications offered at pharmacies. These are tests that are requested or ordered by you without needing a physician’s order. In many cases, the test will cost less than what you would pay if you went through your health insurance company.
With direct-to-consumer testing, you know the cost of each test at the time of service. This also allows you to access your results. Some savvy patients have an order from a provider and choose to have some tests done with direct-to-consumer and others through their insurance. With direct-to-consumer testing payment is required at time of service, and results are given directly to you and insurance will not be billed.
Please visit EMCH and check-in at the Main Hospital Entrance Patient Registration and ask for Direct-to-Consumer testing or Direct Access Testing for laboratory services to utilize this service today. For additional information on Direct-to-consumer testing, please talk to your primary care physician or call the EMCH laboratory at 970-842-6257.
Sign up for email newsletters
We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.
Copyright © 2022 MediaNews Group
