Phlebotomist's, please explain this

Question

I just came back from the doctor (OB/GYN) and as I was leaving this lady got on the elevator with me. She was fine, we both got out at the same level, and headed to the parking garage. As I was walking away, I heard her scream OMG! I turned around and she was holding her arm, while blood was squirting (and I mean SQUIRTING) out of her arm. She said she just had blood drawn and she has no idea what happened. The blood was all over her clothing, purse, etc. I mean it was coming out very fast. So I opened the doors for her, we ran back in the elevator and I helped her get back. Turns out she was in the same OB/GYN office I was in... So that's why I am a little concerned. What could have caused this? Is this a condition within the patient? Or could it be a mistake with the phlebotomist? Please explain honestly, thank you!!!

Answer 1

Squirting blood would indicate that an artery rather than a vein was punctured. A vein would ooze blood rather than squirting it out.

While it's hard for me to imagine that a phlebotomist would make that sort of a mistake and not realize it immediately, I suppose that it is possible.

Answer 2

The force of blood from  a vein doesn't squirt.  However, if it did, the phebotomist might have nicked the brachial artery. esp if the blood specimen was drawn from the antecubittal ( in the elbow)  However , this is unlikely, as only butterflies needles are used and not deep punctures.

Maybe the lady has bleeding problems or a bleeding disorder. Her blood doesn't form fibrin or clot . In any case, an emergency measure could have been to apply direct pressure to the bleeding site.