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Message |
    
Charmin
Citizen
Username: Charmin
Post Number: 33
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:48 am: | 
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Could anyone please tell me about their experience on getting blood drawn to be tested for lead and hemogloban. Our pedatrician informed us that it is NJ state law to have this test done. I'm freaked about letting anyone draw blood from my 13 month daughter especially at the generic Quest labs in the area... The doctors office wasn't very helpful except for saying that the technicians are train to take blood from infants. Would just like to know other's experiences...Thanks |
Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 62
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:59 am: |
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Charmin:
What are you worried about, exactly? That Quest, specifically, will hurt your baby, or that you're baby may be too young to get blood drawn?
bklyngirl |
Popo
Citizen
Username: Popo
Post Number: 68
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:01 am: |
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My children had blood drawn as infants. The needles used for infants are TINY. The procedure is just the same as it is for you---just a little pinch. Your daughter may cry for a moment, but will quickly forget. She'll take her cue from you, so if you are relaxed about it, she will be too. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 540
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:04 am: |
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My son watched the whole procedure without blinking an eye. He found it very interesting........... |
Charmin
Citizen
Username: Charmin
Post Number: 35
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:20 am: |
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I've had my blood drawn from these places. Some good experiences and some not so good. I am an adult with a sense of time and purpose.I would like to find a place with some one who knows what they are doing and are adept at taking blood from an infant. This is not going to be fun for her or me. What I don't want is someone searching for a vien and prolonging this experience due to ineptitude. I'm not bashing Quest just trying to find the best place my daughter... What has been your experience walking into a lab with baby and perscription to get blood drawn? |
margotsc
Citizen
Username: Margotsc
Post Number: 79
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
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I've done this several times at Quest on Northfield Ave. with my two girls at ages 1 and 2 years and have not had any problems. The best people to draw blood are the ones who do it over and over and over... sometimes doctors (and even some nurses) are terrible at it because they don't do it frequently enough. They let you hold on tight to your toddler while they draw it. It certainly isn't fun but it wasn't as bad as I expected -- even with my second born who generally HATES doctors. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5125
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
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My sister use to take my nephews to Quest when they were infants with no problems. |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 457
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:39 am: |
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My daughter had blood drawn at about the same age. We went to quest at 22 Old Short Hills Rd.
Yes - we waited.
Yes - my daughter cried.
But their were 2 techs there and I held my daughter in my lap and had to hold her other arm down.
It was over very quickly once we got into the exam room.
I don't know what you mean by 'an adult with a sense of time and purpose.' Does that mean you don't want to wait in a waiting room? Does it mean you're on a mission to find the best place to do this? If yes, then maybe you should consider finding a private place or offer a doctor to do it and not to go thru insurance. It will cost you, but you'll get it do it on your terms.
Now at the age of almost 5 - we have to go thru this again. at 13 months it was a cake walk. Now she's old enough to get worked up about it and I don't look forward to it. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 541
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:58 am: |
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Phlebotomists who draw blood all day are much, much better at getting in and out of a vein than almost any doctor (except anesthesiologists, who also do this a lot). Only ones better are the nurses who give chemotherapy all day every day and chronically have to find beat-up scarred veins. Practice makes perfect.
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Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 63
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:58 am: |
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I, personally, have not had a bad experience with Quest. My 14-month old is due for the same blood test, and if my doctor won't do it, then I have no problem taking her to a lab.
Of course, if you don't have a good feeling about Quest, Charmin, then you should certainly look for an alternative, like joy suggests.
bklyngirl |
Greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 801
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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Charmin,
My 16 mo old has had blood drawn three times. I took him to the LabCorp office on Millburn Ave. in Maplewood. The techs there were very patient, made sure they had a good vein before sticking, and made sure they had enough sample to prevent re-testing. My son fussed at the initial stick. Then he was fascinated with the whole process. It really isn't traumatic to the little ones.
If you are not compfortable having a procedure performed on your child, you can say no. There is no "law" that says you must have lead and hemoglobin testing. There is the Lead Poisoning Abatement and Control Act, which requires local health departments to implement lead testing programs, but not a law that says all children must be tested for lead. The decision is yours. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3804
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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Charmin, just a point of clarification. It is NJ state law that the doctor write you the Rx to have the test done. It is up to you whether you choose to do it or not. It is not the law that you have to take your child to have the blood drawn.
FWIW, I have not taken any of my three for this test because I, personally, believe this whole lead thing is blown way out of proportion (a belief based on certain of my life experiences), and because I'm not all that keen on subjecting my kids to needles and all of the attendant trauma for very little justification.
That being said, I agree that Quest is probably the best place you can go for this procedure. I have very small veins and it has always been a problem finding one to have blood drawn. I have had blood drawn at Quest, in doctor's offices and in the hospital. My worst experiences have generally been in hospitals, my best have been at Quest. The folks there are specialized and very experienced. |
Cva
Citizen
Username: Cva
Post Number: 25
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 1:17 pm: |
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I would suggest taking your baby to the St. Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center, across from the Livingston Mall. They have a lab and will accept an Rx written for Quest. I've been there twice with my son and there is never a wait. I know it seems scary, and the baby might cry, but it's really not a big deal at all! Good luck. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7470
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 2:55 pm: |
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Meandtheboys:
Lead poisoning in very young children is a problem in our area, not so much from old paint which is easy to spot and remediate as from old hot water pipes. It can also be contracted from contaminated dirt (due to air pollution particles which settle on the ground), certain imported crockery which uses lead based glazes and a variety of other sources. Considering the amount of damage that lead poisoning can do to young children, I would definitely reconsider having the test done on your children. Early detction of lead poisoning is definitely a plus and the test is not a difficult one for parent or child.
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Eire
Citizen
Username: Eire
Post Number: 170
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 4:27 pm: |
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We put it off and put it off because we were so stressed and worried about it. With the old houses around here, lead poisoning is a possibility - -so at around 18 months we did it, and our daughter watched the needle as it went right into her arm, then cried a minute, and it was over. She didn't realize what it was, nor did she really remember when we had to do it again to test for allergies at 3 years old - now that was another story... but went to Quest both times and they were fine. I'm sure kids sense anxiety in their parents, which is why the most difficult part of it for us was acting like it was like going out for ice cream... |
Petal
Citizen
Username: Petal
Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 4:59 pm: |
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we lived next to a building being renovated in brooklyn. dust all over our apartment for weeks on end. we starting getting nervous about lead poisoning of our 18 month old. took her to quest by rec of her pediatrician. in and out under 30 minutes, she didn't blink, flinch, or cry. easy experience for both of us. the children pick up on your fear. we were relieved to know all was ok. |
lamojo
Citizen
Username: Lamojo
Post Number: 174
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 5:29 pm: |
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Charmin,
There is a technician named George at one of the Quests on Northfield Avenue was awesome with my son when we had this test done two years ago. I forget if it was the Livingston or the West Orange office. I have to bring my younger son for the same test and I'm going to call first to find out when George is there.
FWIW, my older son needed iron supplements based on the iron/hemoglobin test. |
aneighbor
Citizen
Username: Aneighbor
Post Number: 107
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 5:45 pm: |
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As a Child Life Specialist whose job it is to help children and their parents through medical procedures like this and as a mother of a 4 year old...first thing is to reassure you that I like everyone else here highly recommend Quest Labs as well.
If you are still hesitant about this, you can also ask your Pediatrician to write you a prescription for EMLA cream. You can put this on your daughter's arm one hour (up to four hours) prior to the blood draw with the occlusive dressing. This will numb up the area so your daughter will probably not feel anything. (Put it on in more than one spot to be safe). Sit your daughter on your lap and take some deep breathes. For your daughter, she will not know anything is "scary" because she has never experienced this before. Talk to her like you normally would and let her hold her favorite toy in the other hand for distraction.
When I bought my daughter there for the same procedure at that age she was fine through the whole thing and when it was over gave the lab tech a big hug.
You can IM me if you are still anxious. Good Luck!
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sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 2422
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 5:52 pm: |
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I'm still wondering what this really means:
"I am an adult with a sense of time and purpose."
Aren't we all? That said my son was born with Jaundice and had blood taken from him quite a few times in his first weeks of life. Granted it was only a prick in his heel but they had to do it so many times they switched heels. He also had the lead test done after we did some renovations around the house - everything came back normal despite the amount of dust there was in the house. Makes me think (like meand) that the threat has been elevated more than it should. I would love to know how long a child would have to be exposed to dust with lead in it before it has an impact. Are we talking about years of exposure or just a couple of days? |
anotherkittie
Citizen
Username: Anotherkittie
Post Number: 27
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 5:54 pm: |
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IT's worse for us, the parents, than it is for the baby. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7473
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 6:44 pm: |
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I know of at least one child in my neighborhood who was found to have an elevated blood lead level as a result of such a blood test. Not all these tests come back negative. |
marian
Citizen
Username: Marian
Post Number: 803
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 8:14 pm: |
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I've taken my now 3-year-old son to the Quest lab on Northfield Ave. in West Orange twice to have blood drawn (once at 1 and again when he turned 2). Both times were a breeze and the technicicians there were total pros with small children. Just hold your daughter in your lap and let her see that you are calm. It will literally be over in less than a minute.
If you're worried about waiting, the lab on Northfield in W.O. opens at 8:00 am on weekdays, so if you get there about 7:45, you're almost certain to be first or second in line. I belive they also make Saturday morning appointments if you call in advance.
I agree with Joan: Don't fool around when it comes to lead poisining--get your child tested.
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phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 521
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 10:20 pm: |
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Unlike some of the lucky ones here, my daughter does FREAK OUT when having blood drawn. But that lasts less than 5 minutes and then we're back to normal life. We've done 2 lead tests and a lyme test.
I think the anticipation of hell is 10 times worse than the actual thing. I saw go tomorrow and just get it over with. |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1109
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:19 pm: |
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For what its worth:
Drawing blood from an infant is no more difficult than a draw from an adult (assuming, of course that the parent doesn't put the child into a tizzy).
When I worked in one of New York City's premier facilities, infants and toddlers were part of the daily routine. A decent tech will make the appropriate noises and faces to keep the child at ease.
If the tech is making YOU uncomfortable, ask for another tech. (Be prepared to wait).
But, of course, that was thirty or so years ago. Kids may have changed since then.
TomR |
Reesa
Citizen
Username: Reesa
Post Number: 132
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:53 pm: |
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I went to Quest on Millburn Ave and the 2 technicians who drew blood from my daughter were quick and pleasant. |
Spanky
Citizen
Username: Spanky
Post Number: 104
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
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Definitely ask for a finger prick instead of the arm needle. It is easier on the child & you, but the technician probably will balk because it takes longer. If you get it written on the prescription by the doctor, they will have to do it that way. We did this with my son after he screamed the first time, and it really made the process easier and less painful, I think. |
snowmom
Citizen
Username: Snowmom
Post Number: 14382
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 6:43 am: |
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Hands down, the the most competent phlebotomists (who are not pediatric nurses or doctors) are at the St Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center (across the street from the Livingston Mall). They are really skilled with infants and children, and everyone is VERY polite. At this lab they do draw for Quest, although it is not a Quest lab. Check with your insurance company and please DO take your kids to have the blood test. It really is important and provides very useful information. |
aneighbor
Citizen
Username: Aneighbor
Post Number: 108
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 8:03 pm: |
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I recommend NOT getting a figure prick, as their are more nerve endings in the the finger tip than the arm where blood tests are done, and as a result it is more painful. Sqeezing the finger tip until enough blood is taken out then becomes a lengthy, painful process.
Again, if you are afraid of the "pain" I highly recommend the EMLA cream. Overall, if the caregiver is calm and makes it a "normal" experience the child will recover quickly and life will go on as usual. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 552
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 6:38 am: |
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aneighbor is absolutely right about the finger-prick. Not a preferred option at all, IMHO. |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 354
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:09 am: |
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Longer is definately not better with a 13-month-old. I think you are better off with the regular arm draw. We've had good luck with Quest on Northfield. Emla cream, distraction, and a calm parent are good advice. It should be a very quick procedure.
I was more worried about low iron than lead (we lived in new construction at the time, so not much lead exposure). My middle child's results came back showing low iron, so he needed supplementation.
That said, you are the parent and you get to decide if this is a test that you want her to have.
Good luck!
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Charmin
Citizen
Username: Charmin
Post Number: 36
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:23 am: |
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Thank you everyone for your 2-bits and encouragement! We went today to the labs in Livingston and it went well. There was no wait and the technicians were helpful, and efficient. Baby girl fussed while the blood was being drawn but beyond that just a few tears and a band aide for teddy. |
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