Every phlebotomist must deal with a fainting patient at some point in their career. Fainting is a reaction to low blood sugar, a drop in blood pressure, or anxiety over needles (which impacts around 25% of Americans). Today, we’re going to talk about fainting and what you can do as a phlebotomist if a patient faints during a blood draw.
Fainting is uncommon but not unusual.
Studies give varying rates, but fainting (also called vasovagal syncope) is estimated to occur in between .004 and 2.5% of blood draws. Rates are higher for blood donations.
Phlebotomists can prevent fainting and ensure patient safety.
You just have to act quickly and take these five steps.
Step 1: Recognize the warning signs.
Most patients show signs before they faint. They may start to look pale or sweaty.
Breathing is another sign; a patient may hyperventilate or start taking more shallow breaths.
They may also verbalize their discomfort, telling you they feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Step 2: Stop the procedure and secure the needle.
You’ve recognized the signs. Now you need to stop the blood draw.
Release the tourniquet from their arm to help restore normal blood flow. If you’ve inserted the needle, remove it and apply pressure with gauze to the puncture site.
Step 3: Help the patient lie down.
Once the needle is safely out of the way, you’ll want to make sure the patient doesn’t fall.
Help the patient lie flat on their back. Elevate their legs slightly to help restore blood flow to the brain and aid recovery.
If they can’t lie down, a head-between-knees position is best.
If there isn’t a bed or exam table in the room, that’s okay. Have the patient lean forward so that their head is between their knees.
Step 4: Keep them comfortable.
A typical fainting spell is short; the patient comes around within 15 to 20 seconds. But your job isn’t over yet. In a calm voice, encourage them to stay seated or lying down until they are comfortable.
Promote relaxed breathing.
If they’re wearing a tight collar or tie, loosen it. You can also offer them water or apply a cold compress to their forehead.
Step 5: Monitor your patient.
Stay with your patient for at least 15 minutes after they wake to make sure they’ve fully recovered from the fainting episode.
During this time, check their pulse and encourage slow, deep breaths.
If the patient hasn’t regained consciousness within a minute or two, or has chest pain or trouble breathing, call for medical assistance.
You can take steps to prevent fainting before the draw starts.
Before you start a blood draw, ensure your patient is seated in a chair with armrests. There’s one exception: If they have a history of fainting, it’s best for them to lie down during the draw.
You’ll also want to speak gently and explain each step of the blood draw process before you do it, to reduce anxiety.
Get phlebotomy training at NTX Training Institute.
With the right training, you can prevent patients from fainting during a blood draw and ensure the safety of those who do.
At NTX Training Institute, we teach students how to manage this scenario and others through hands-on instruction.
Click here to enroll in our certified phlebotomy training program today.
