ER Laboratory Testing: How To Handle Bloodwork Correctly

If you ever have to go to the ER (emergency room), a standard practice of laboratory testing is bloodwork. It can be performed for a couple of reasons, such as to check for drugs in your system and possible bacteria. You can handle these blood tests like a pro if you take these precautions.

Give Your Consent in the Beginning

Before your blood is drawn and tested further at an onsite lab, the doctor that treats you will need your consent. It's thus important to give it from the very beginning so that there isn't a delay in your treatment.

You'll have to fill out forms and give your signature to confirm the hospital that you stay at can legally take your blood and test it. This is standard procedure, so you shouldn't feel anxious about this part of visiting an ER.

Drink Plenty of Water

If you want to assist the medical staff at the ER that ultimately draws your blood for lab work, then you need to drink plenty of water. What this does is make your veins easier to find. As a result, the medical staff won't have to dig around in your arm and cause discomfort.

They can quickly draw your blood from a vein and then send the sample off to the appropriate lab where it will be tested by licensed technicians. The ER should remind you to drink plenty of water before your blood is drawn too, making it easy to simplify this process. 

Go Over Results With Treating Physician

Once your blood is drawn and tested at a lab, you'll get the results back in a couple of hours or so. When the results do come in, it's a good idea to go over them with the treating physician. They can explain the results in a way you understand and answer any questions you have.

Maybe your white blood cell count is lower than it should be or the platelet count is off. The treating physician will bring up relevant findings and explain how they will impact your treatment going forward at the ER. 

If you ever have to go to the ER, you can expect laboratory testing to be involved in some capacity. Bloodwork is one of the most common parts of this testing, which you can handle just fine if you prepare in the right ways and know what to expect at every stage. 

For more information on ER laboratory testing, contact a professional near you.