Monday, February 11, 2013

Lab Challenged

      In preparing for my annual physical check up I was sent to a lab for the many routine tests.

      I arrived very early and so they sent me for my EEG because the lab wouldn't be open for 20 min. The EEG went fine and I went back to the lab. I waited two minutes and I was in. They took the usual vials of blood for the necessary tests. This went great as they hit the vein dead on.

    When I finished the blood work I had one test left. I was handed a small extremely cheap plastic cup and a vial with a centimeter diameter(7/32 in.). You guessed it . The last stop was at the wash room. Now I don't think you could find a more flimsy plastic cup. Most paper cups would be more substantial. I was to make my deposit in the cup and then pour enough of the deposit to fill the vial. Now it doesn't take much imagination to know what might go wrong. Yes, cheap little plastic cup and small vial...an accident waiting to happen. And it did. Next there's a blue plastic cap to go on the top of the vial. Put the sucker on and check to see if it's right. Well , it's not . So push harder. Still lopsided so really push and finally the lid went on. 

     Now here's my point. What are these people in the labs thinking when they set up such a system?  You can see this little old guy and many more rocking back on his/their heels and trying to pour liquid in a very small tube . We shake a bit and can't see too well. It doesn't work. It will be messy! So what do I do next time? Smuggle a little funnel into the lab! Take in a drinking straw to use as pipette?  What if they quit giving you the cheap plastic cup? I hate to think of that one!

    I'm going to have to check with my brother who has  health care kind of job. He's going to have to check into what can be done to help his elderly brother with a lab test. 

    So I hope for everybody else that other areas have not gone on such a cheap test and that nobody has to go through this ordeal. 

34 comments:

  1. Giggle - it is not fun, is it?
    I presume that you are referring to the #1 business - the "pee"????
    What about the #2 business? Far more tricky!
    You need to be a contortionist to deliver the goods!

    You certainly have "down to earth" comments, no mucking about with you.
    I will by "Republic, Royal or Papal" command bestow the honour of elevating you to
    an Honorary Aussie!!

    Cheers and keep practicing.
    Colin (Brisbane, Australia).

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    1. Wow! Thanks for the honor! Do I have to talk like an Aussie too?

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  2. Haha! I'm sorry but you painted a funny picture!

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    1. So can I expect to see one of your paintings on this pathetic topic?

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    2. Not likely Red...not likely!

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  3. Replies
    1. Don't feel bad! At least somebody didn't get a picture to go with the laugh!

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  4. Red, I'm just thankful it's the last test. You can come out, put your container on the counter and walk away! :)

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    1. Yep. Only they have a handy dandy little rack that the miserable little test tube fits in.

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  5. usually we just get a cup with a cover and you set it in the little door above the stool and someone retrieves it..they must put it in a vial if they want it there.. cute post..yes ask your brother:)

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    1. We used to have the same thing and we put it in a little door that opened on the other side as well.

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  6. Brilliant.....I'm sorry to find your tribulations amusing.

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  7. Hey, I have trouble with that system too!! Surely they could have invented a better system by now??

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    1. Surely they couldn't have come up with such a bizarre system but they did.

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  8. Ha! I remember peeing into a cup many times at my old clinic, but here in my new one they don't seem to take a urine sample at all. The best part of being here is that I have an internet connection to my clinic and within the same day of having the blood drawn I have the results. I was amazed! :-)

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    1. I'll have to check if they have that system here. It would be nice to see your results.

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  9. Here in Portland you pee into a plastic container that comes with a screw-on lid. I haven't had any problems...yet!

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  10. I might change labs,mine gives a nicer cup without need to transfer.

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    1. Used to have the same set up here so it was a big surprise this time.

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  11. You're right! And why aren't they thinking of this stuff?

    Pearl

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  12. Lol.....and I'm off to get my blood work done soon too.

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    1. I hope your area has not gone to such a cheap system.

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  13. Not sure what system they use over here, I seem to have avoided all such tests so far. Which, come to think of it, is a bit of a worry - why aren't they testing me properly?

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    1. That's a strange one. They get an awful lot of info from the urine test.

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  14. Yikes. Our system involves filling a small glass and leaving it on the counter in the bathroom. What a relief!

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  15. ha,ha this was funny Red - for we have all been in this situation - I had the little clear plastic bottle with red cap and how the hell can you direct your pee in that - my solution was to "borrow" a pee cap from the hospital quite a while ago, brought it home, in its unopened bag, and each use, it gets sterilized and put back in bag. It has a spout on it and is fairly wide, and pours into the wee bottle quite easily. Honestly, it is 2013, someone could make these tasks easier, Eh.

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    1. Well, as I said I could smuggle in a funnel!

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  16. Red I'm glad that you're going to see what can be done about this rather awkward situation, seriously what are the ones who set up some of these tests thinking... oh right, they're not!

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  17. You had me laughing, but then you are right...it is a tough call!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

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