Table of Contents
Is it legal to draw blood from an unconscious patient?
The Supreme Court ruling clearly states that unconscious patients do not need to consent to a police officer-requested blood draw. Regardless, Slovis says EPs should either rely on a hospital policy or request hospital legal assistance.
What is the law pertaining to collecting a specimen on an unconscious patient?
The Supreme Court has ruled that police may, without a warrant, order blood drawn from an unconscious person suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. The Fourth Amendment generally requires police to obtain a warrant for a blood draw.
What do you do if a patient refuses to draw blood?
However, patients have a right to refuse blood tests. If the patient still refuses, report this to the nurse or physician, and document patient refusal according to your hospital’s policies and procedures.
How do you handle a coma patient?
Doctors might give breathing assistance, intravenous medications and other supportive care. Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the coma. A procedure or medications to relieve pressure on the brain due to brain swelling might be needed.
Can a nurse take blood without consent?
If a patient is unconscious then it is called “implied consent” since it is “implied” that the unconscious person would want medically necessary/life saving treatment. Yes a nurse can technically draw a given volume of blood without an order at that time.
Are forced blood draws legal?
Under California’s implied consent law (California V.C. Forced blood draws are allowed under the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court case of Schmerber v. California. The court ruled that police can take a driver’s blood without a warrant in order to conduct a chemical test.
Can you be forced to give a blood sample?
Forcing someone to take a blood test is not merited without a warrant, and this has been held up by the Supreme Court. The court stated that drawing blood is a type of search under the fourth amendment and should be treated in the way any other search would be treated.
When a patient refuses to have his or her blood drawn the phlebotomist should?
If a patient refuses to have his or her blood drawn, the first thing the phlebotomist should do is a. check the patient ID and draw the specimen as fast as you can. b. leave the patient’s room and write refusal on the requisition.
What are the most important legal aspects of phlebotomy?
The two most important legal aspects to a phlebotomist are obtaining INFORMED CONSENT and MAINTAINIG PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY!!! What does AMT stand for?.
What is the difference between coma and comatose?
During a coma, a person does not react to external stimuli and they will not show normal reflex responses. Comatose patients do not have sleep-wake cycles. Reasons for a coma include intoxication, nervous system disease, metabolic disease, infections, or a stroke.
What are the chances of surviving a coma?
Within six hours of coma onset those patients who show eye opening have almost a one in five chance of achieving a good recovery whereas those who do not have a one in 10 chance. Those who show no motor response have a 3% chance of making a good recovery whereas those who show flexion have a better than 15% chance.
What are signs of coma patient waking up?
Signs of coming out of a coma include being able to keep their eyes open for longer and longer periods of time and being awakened from “sleep” easier—at first by pain (pinch), then by touch (like gently shaking of their shoulder), and finally by sound (calling their name).
Can a nurse draw blood at home?
Get a blood draw in the comfort of your own home by requesting an appointment from the National Phlebotomy Provider Network. We will draw your blood at home and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics. We are the National Phlebotomy Provider Network, your certified, state-licensed phlebotomists.
Can nurses draw blood?
As hospitals and other care centers decentralize ancillary services, nurses are being called on more frequently to draw blood. Transitional and home care nurses often perform phlebotomy procedures, but rarely receive adequate education to do so.
Can a nurse order blood?
Most likely, as an RN you cannot administer medications or order treatments and lab work without an order from a physician who has seen the patient. Advanced practice nurses can order medications, order treatments and lab work — based on their scope of practice as defined by the state nurse practice act.
Can you refuse blood test?
The penalties for refusing to take a blood, breath, or urine test begin with a one-year license suspension. You could lose your license for two years for a second refusal or if you had a reckless driving or DUI conviction within the last ten years.
Can you say no to a blood test?
In most cases yes. You must give your consent (permission) before you receive any type of medical treatment, from a simple blood test to deciding to donate your organs after your death.
Can a phlebotomist draw blood without a doctor’s order?
In the US, some states allow patients to order their own lab work. In these so-called “Direct Access Testing” states, anyone can request their blood be drawn without a physician’s order.
Can phlebotomist be sued?
Malpractice. Malpractice is a term for the type of civil lawsuits that patients generally bring against medical practitioners who have failed to follow the standard of care. If a phlebotomist is facing a malpractice suit, they are not in danger of going to jail, but they may face other severe consequences.
How do you collect blood from a psychiatric patient?
hemolysis, contamination or dilution due to improper collection techniques (i.e. inadequate flushing of the collection site, etc.). Nurses or physicians must collect blood specimens in these situations.
Is drawing blood an invasive procedure?
Phlebotomy – the drawing of blood – has been practiced for centuries and is still one of the most common invasive procedures in health care (1). However, practice varies considerably between countries, and between institutions and individuals within the same country (2).
What is the most common phlebotomy site in adults?
The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).
How many times can a phlebotomist stick a patient?
The number of venipuncture attempts to insert a short peripheral catheter is a critical factor in the ultimate health of your patient’s veins. The 2016 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice call for no more than 2 attempts per clinician with a limit on the total number of attempts to 4.
