[2Jedismom]

You hold on to the actual IV (which is the soft tube which is attached to a port) and the needle simply slips out. Then you push a button on the needle “handle” for lack of a better description and it goes “POP!” and retracts into a hard plastic safety sleeve (so you can’t accidently poke yourself.)

I would be holding on to the port with my left hand thumb and index finger and retracting the needle with my right. After the needle is retracted into the safety sleeve, I can set it down and then apply tape to the port to keep it in place. Then my hands are both free to apply a nice dressing. Usually a clear film.

This all takes literally seconds if the person has easy to access veins.

[Corin Stormhands]

This all takes literally seconds if the person has easy to access veins.

I've been told I have "deep veins."

But I found out that's just a medical term for "fat arms."

[Rose in RoseBear]

I'll bet you have a real smooth action when doing a blood draw, sis. Some people can pull blood out of me and I honestly have to ask if they did anything.

That's a gift, I tell ya ...

I love that you show the patient the needle. Lets the patient feel that they're a part of the process, and not just a thing that has to be "done for."

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

This all takes literally seconds if the person has easy to access veins.

That is not me, usually takes two nurses and 5 sticks (the 2nd nurse is the more experienced one). Often a phlebotomist has to be called. Once or twice a surgeon had to be called. I have diabetic veins.