First Impressions

Today was my first day of internship, and I started my rotations with the Lab Assistants. The laboratory supervisor said that he wanted me to leave with a comprehensive understanding of the whole lab process, not just each work bench or pathology. I started rounds with the phlebotomists, Shawna, Amanda, and Chris. Phlebotomists are the people that actually go from patient to patient with their carts, drawing blood. At first I had a lot of questions, and I still do. There are a lot of colored tubes and each one is for a different test. I also felt very turned around as we went on rounds through the different parts of the hospital. I was struck by how large and winding it is, and and also by how it always looks like it should be night in the lab. Gloria, one of the supervisors for the Lab Assistants, said that if the power went out, I wouldn't be able to see my hand in front of my face it would be so dark.

The one thing that I noticed about the people was that they were are really friendly and interacted well with people. I guess it takes a certain personallity to convince people that they are safe letting someone stick a needle up their arm. Amanda escpecially would convince more reluctant patients not just by being warm and friendly, but by giving them lots of information on why the blood that she drew was important. I also noticed that Chris always asked the patient if he or she needed anything before he left. He really wanted to help the patients and it was obvious in the way he acted.

My only role right now is watching and occasionally putting Gel Lithium Heprin (anticoagulant) tubes in the centrifuge. Also, I put papers in the box to be shredded, open the occansional vaccum tube and let people in when they ring the door to the lab. I obviously can't draw blood, but I did learn how to find a vein with my eyes closed and tie a tourniquet. It was really awesome. After tying the tourniquet, I could just close my eyes and tap on the skin of my arm or hand. Where it was bouncy, that was a vein. Where it was firm, that was regualr skin, with no veins near the surface. I just did a lot of learning today, about what needles were used when, why, and how to make that decision. I am very excited to go back tomorrow and hopefully gain another responsibility to keep me busy, but I am also nervous to talk to Dr. Mathews about my project. I have no idea what to do, and it's a little stressful.