Therapeutic Phlebotomy-KH
You are receiving this information on Therapeutic Phlebotomy as part of your discharge
instructions.
Phlebotomy is a procedure in which a specific amount of blood is removed from your body as ordered by your physician. This procedure is used to treat conditions of hemochromatosis and polycythemia. Hemochromatosis is defined as too much iron is the blood. Polycythemia means too many red blood cells in the blood.
A lab test will be drawn prior to the procedure to check your hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct). The test will determine if it is safe to withdraw the blood.
It is sometimes helpful to drink extra fluids prior to the procedure. Extra fluids can prevent feeling weak or dizzy after the procedure. Notify your health care provider if you experience these symptoms.
The procedure is similar to donating blood. You may sit in a chair or lie down. A needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm, the blood will be drawn off, and the needle removed. Your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored before and after the procedure. Fluids will be offered to you post procedure.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCEDURE:
POST PROCEDURE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
DIET
- You may resume your regular diet
- Increase your fluid intake over next 24 hours
ACTIVITY
- You may resume all normal activities after an hour if you feel well. If you are a construction worker, operate machinery, or work at heights, it may be dangerous to return to work immediately after the procedure.
- If you feel faint or dizzy, either lie down or sit down with your head between your knees.
WOUND/INCISIONAL DEVICE CARE
- Keep pressure dressing on phlebotomy site for at least 30 minutes.
- If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise arm and apply pressure.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
- You may use over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain unless otherwise contraindicated. Discuss any other over the counter use of aspirin and Ibuprofen products with your doctor before using them.
MEDICATION CHANGES
- Take all your medications as ordered by your doctor, unless otherwise instructed.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS TO BE EXPECTED
- Tenderness at the site
- Bruising at the site.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN
- Temperature over 101 degrees
- Redness, swelling, drainage or warmth around the needle insertion site
- Persistent dizziness, weakness or feeling faint
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any new or unusual symptoms.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. PROCEED TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT/OR CALL 911 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
- Uncontrolled bleeding; if this should begin after you return home, you should lie down. Apply pressure to the site where the catheter was and have someone call your doctor right away. If you are unable to get a hold of your doctor quickly or you cannot stop the bleeding with your pressure call 911.
- Severe shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or chest pain
DATE AND TIME TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN
- Call the physician who ordered your procedure for a follow up appointment, if you do not already have a scheduled appointment.
You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy-KH
You are receiving this information on Therapeutic Phlebotomy as part of your discharge
instructions.
Phlebotomy is a procedure in which a specific amount of blood is removed from your body as ordered by your physician. This procedure is used to treat conditions of hemochromatosis and polycythemia. Hemochromatosis is defined as too much iron is the blood. Polycythemia means too many red blood cells in the blood.
A lab test will be drawn prior to the procedure to check your hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct). The test will determine if it is safe to withdraw the blood.
It is sometimes helpful to drink extra fluids prior to the procedure. Extra fluids can prevent feeling weak or dizzy after the procedure. Notify your health care provider if you experience these symptoms.
The procedure is similar to donating blood. You may sit in a chair or lie down. A needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm, the blood will be drawn off, and the needle removed. Your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored before and after the procedure. Fluids will be offered to you post procedure.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCEDURE:
POST PROCEDURE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
DIET
- You may resume your regular diet
- Increase your fluid intake over next 24 hours
ACTIVITY
- You may resume all normal activities after an hour if you feel well. If you are a construction worker, operate machinery, or work at heights, it may be dangerous to return to work immediately after the procedure.
- If you feel faint or dizzy, either lie down or sit down with your head between your knees.
WOUND/INCISIONAL DEVICE CARE
- Keep pressure dressing on phlebotomy site for at least 30 minutes.
- If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise arm and apply pressure.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
- You may use over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain unless otherwise contraindicated. Discuss any other over the counter use of aspirin and Ibuprofen products with your doctor before using them.
MEDICATION CHANGES
- Take all your medications as ordered by your doctor, unless otherwise instructed.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS TO BE EXPECTED
- Tenderness at the site
- Bruising at the site.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN
- Temperature over 101 degrees
- Redness, swelling, drainage or warmth around the needle insertion site
- Persistent dizziness, weakness or feeling faint
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any new or unusual symptoms.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. PROCEED TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT/OR CALL 911 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
- Uncontrolled bleeding; if this should begin after you return home, you should lie down. Apply pressure to the site where the catheter was and have someone call your doctor right away. If you are unable to get a hold of your doctor quickly or you cannot stop the bleeding with your pressure call 911.
- Severe shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or chest pain
DATE AND TIME TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN
- Call the physician who ordered your procedure for a follow up appointment, if you do not already have a scheduled appointment.
You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy-KH
You are receiving this information on Therapeutic Phlebotomy as part of your discharge
instructions.
Phlebotomy is a procedure in which a specific amount of blood is removed from your body as ordered by your physician. This procedure is used to treat conditions of hemochromatosis and polycythemia. Hemochromatosis is defined as too much iron is the blood. Polycythemia means too many red blood cells in the blood.
A lab test will be drawn prior to the procedure to check your hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct). The test will determine if it is safe to withdraw the blood.
It is sometimes helpful to drink extra fluids prior to the procedure. Extra fluids can prevent feeling weak or dizzy after the procedure. Notify your health care provider if you experience these symptoms.
The procedure is similar to donating blood. You may sit in a chair or lie down. A needle will be inserted into a vein in your arm, the blood will be drawn off, and the needle removed. Your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored before and after the procedure. Fluids will be offered to you post procedure.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCEDURE:
POST PROCEDURE DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
DIET
- You may resume your regular diet
- Increase your fluid intake over next 24 hours
ACTIVITY
- You may resume all normal activities after an hour if you feel well. If you are a construction worker, operate machinery, or work at heights, it may be dangerous to return to work immediately after the procedure.
- If you feel faint or dizzy, either lie down or sit down with your head between your knees.
WOUND/INCISIONAL DEVICE CARE
- Keep pressure dressing on phlebotomy site for at least 30 minutes.
- If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise arm and apply pressure.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
- You may use over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain unless otherwise contraindicated. Discuss any other over the counter use of aspirin and Ibuprofen products with your doctor before using them.
MEDICATION CHANGES
- Take all your medications as ordered by your doctor, unless otherwise instructed.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS TO BE EXPECTED
- Tenderness at the site
- Bruising at the site.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS/SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION OF YOUR PHYSICIAN
- Temperature over 101 degrees
- Redness, swelling, drainage or warmth around the needle insertion site
- Persistent dizziness, weakness or feeling faint
- You have any questions or concerns.
- You have any new or unusual symptoms.
POST PROCEDURE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. PROCEED TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT/OR CALL 911 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
- Uncontrolled bleeding; if this should begin after you return home, you should lie down. Apply pressure to the site where the catheter was and have someone call your doctor right away. If you are unable to get a hold of your doctor quickly or you cannot stop the bleeding with your pressure call 911.
- Severe shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or chest pain
DATE AND TIME TO SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN
- Call the physician who ordered your procedure for a follow up appointment, if you do not already have a scheduled appointment.
You are a very important part of your recovery. Please ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have regarding your discharge instructions.