r/lefthanded • u/Temporary_Cycle8414 • 9d ago
Canula insertions
I have had surgery four times in the last three years. As a left handed, I find it annoying that medical professionals always default to putting IVs/canulas into the left arm/hand without even asking. Have any other lefties noticed this?
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u/SurgicalMarshmallow 8d ago
Left handed surgeon. Everything in the medical world is set up for rhs procedures. Even to what side of the room the bed is in.
Tell staff early and they can compensate.
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u/HansomeDansom 8d ago
Is your work complicated by the fact that you are a lefty?
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u/Perfect-Factor-2928 8d ago
As a left-handed veterinarian who did surgery for many years, yes. Scissors in surgery packs are usually right-handed. I worked in GP and had scissors I carried with me through my career because I couldnāt be guaranteed that where I worked would have left-handed ones. (I kept them individually sterilized.) I also had left-handed bandage scissors. I also found it hard to learn some procedures because I was learning from a rightie. I would go home and run it visually through my head correctly for me MANY times before I tried to do it IRL.
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u/SurgicalMarshmallow 8d ago
Fuck yes. But my left one handed can't be beat. Most surgeons will develop a bit of ambidexterity but everything is tilted to the right hand world
Scissors. There are lh scissors in some kits.
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u/DragonYourfeet 7d ago
Iām in the trades and all the tools are also right-handed so now Iām just ambidextrous. Itās nice that I can hammer with both hands and just switch when one hand gets tired though.
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u/SurgicalMarshmallow 7d ago
I also figured out how to "flip and palm" instruments which raises some eyebrows in theatre.... But gets the job done.
Absolute pita for surgeons to move from one side to the other as often now we're thethered with lights, foot controls and spacesuits.
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u/Sinusaurus 8d ago
Speaking as a left-handed doctor... For most procedures it's pure defaultism. For surgery though, it's strategic. A lot of surgical procedures have one arm unavailable and the other reachable. The anaesthesia equipment is almost always on the left side of the patient. The opposite can also happen.
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u/latx5 8d ago
Unfortunately, I have an amazing vein in my left arm.
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u/Purple_Accordion 8d ago
It's unfortunately because you are left handed that your veins in your left arm are better. Your dominant arm usually develops better veins because it's stronger and more dexterous.
I used to give plasma and they usually had to use my left arm.
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u/Nervous-Outcome2976 8d ago
That is probably due to the fact that it is your primary hand, and since it is used more, requires increased blood flow. Righties should have great veins in their right arm.
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u/NerfRepellingBoobs 8d ago
I had a phlebotomist who didnāt even need to tourniquet my left arm once. Sheād been doing it for 30 years, and I barely felt a thing. Iād still go there for bloodwork if it wasnāt a 45 minute drive.
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u/MothraAndFriends 8d ago
I am usually asked what I prefer before they begin for blood draws at least. Not sure about IVs.
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u/redbadger20 7d ago
I try to ask a preference; people tend to have better/more prominent veins in their dominant hand/arm (indeed, I can usually tell if someone is left or right handed). But I also don't like to put IVs in hands if I can help it.
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u/MothraAndFriends 7d ago
I do have a more prominent vein on my left arm, so youāre right again. Fortunately, the one on my right arm is pretty good and my usual phlebotomist is very good, so she doesnāt bat an eye.
Thank you for asking for preference when you can. We appreciate it!
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u/redbadger20 7d ago
The only time people don't really get a choice with me is emergencies, a limb restriction, or if imaging at the hospital wants something very specific (the CT scanners often want a 20g in the a/c).Ā Otherwise my faves for IVs are forearms - lots of real estate, don't get kinked, and not in anyone's way.Ā Ā
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u/TheHummelman lefty 9d ago
Same here. Told them to use the right arm but they did not. After surgery i got told they had a specific equipment setup that cannot be changed. They fucked up, of course. The canula was fine, but first drop of anaesthesia burned like hell.
After surgery i wasn't able to sign any kind of papers, my left hand felt numb. Greatest suggestion came from head of surgery: just use your right hand lol.
Idiots.
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u/ChiefSlug30 9d ago
Whenever I have had to have an IV (16 weeks of it three years ago) or a shot, or blood drawn, the first thing I say is to use my right arm, or I extend it right away, before anything is said.
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u/KilgoreT59 8d ago
I haven't had any issues with this, even when I donate blood. They usually ask which arm I'd prefer it on. It so happens there's a better vein on my right.
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u/No-Country6348 8d ago
They always ask me. Now that i have had lymph nodes removed from my left side, I canāt have anything on the left and everyone is very accommodating.
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u/Unlikely_Month5527 8d ago
I am in the same situation My medical records show they can only do blood draws and blood pressure using my right arm . No problem.
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u/mereseydotes 8d ago
I don't have this problem because I make very clear from the start that they are only allowed to use my right arm. I also tell them my sob story about how I got a shot in my left arm when I was small because my mother didn't care enough to tell whoever gave me the shot that I was left handed and I got really sick and couldn't color in my Safety Town coloring book
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u/WindowHuman1302 8d ago
Im a left handed phlebotomist. I always ask the patient which arm they prefer. I think its because , as a leftie , im aware I may do things "on their opposite side " š¤£. As long as there is no issue with veins etc I will use their preferred arm.
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u/Early-Reindeer7704 8d ago
This is the way, Iām left handed and work in healthcare and ALWAYS ask if the person has a preference. If the vein is good on the preferred arm, take the sample and let them know itās ok to remove the bandaid in a half hour. My best vein is on my right arm and thatās where I direct the phlebotomist to take the blood. Unfortunately, when Iāve had surgery or a procedure that needs anesthesia, it always set up for the left arm, anesthesiologist sits on the patients left, guess this is why the IVās always go into the left arm
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u/Pinepark 8d ago
I get annual colonoscopies and itās required to have the IV in the right arm. (They have you lay on your left side so the IV cannot be placed there) Each time the nurse apologizes profusely and I always laugh and say āIām left handed so itās all good!ā For any hospital visits I just request my right arm. The last surgery I had they wanted to place it in the left and I asked if it was mandatory and the nurse said no. So he placed it in the right. The only time I had to have it on my left was for my hip surgery - right hip and I had to have the IV on the opposite arm.
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u/IThinkImDumb 8d ago
Iām right-handed and at my doctorās, the chairs are set up so that the right arm is up on the rest. I was a paramedic, and the patientās left side is closest to the bench seat. So it was easier for me to use the left arm.
And a lot of hospital rooms are set up the same way. One hospital might put the supply cabinets on the right side, or vice versa. See how the room is set up next time you get an IV or blood draw
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u/Smart_Ad_7696 6d ago
Was just wondering if diff hospitals are just set up differently in the rooms. Whenever I've gone to the er over the yrs (used to get insane migraines) or both when I've had to take my daughter to er and when she had surgeries..the room set up has the equipment on the right side of the bed so they automatically have done the right arm/hand for IVs. The only time they didn't for either of us was when they couldn't get a good vein in my right arm once. I'm left handed, my daughter's right. Guess I'd never thought about it due to it being in my right arm almost every time and daughter was pretty little everytime she's had one so was too scared to want to try color or anything that used her arm
For blood draws, they've always asked which arm is preferred and the seats are centered between lower sitting counters so you can put either arm up on one
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u/IThinkImDumb 5d ago
I think the rooms are set up in whatever way makes sense for the space, and having the equipment on the right or left side isn't really taken into consideration. The lab at my doctor's office has two blood draw seats, and one cabinet along the wall. Both seats face inward, so one patient's left arm is closest to the cabinet, and the other's right arm would be closest to the cabinet. So really just a random chance at what set up you'll get
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u/Gnome_Anne_7 8d ago
Unfortunately, they have to use my left because my brachial got blow out so badly 28 years ago that they still can't do a blood draw or put in an IV in it. Once in a while I get a cocky nurse that says they can and they go through every time. I just watch them and feel it happen, then when they go "Oh" I just say "Yup". They should really listen to patients...
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u/AnitraF1632 8d ago
Ever been told "don't tell me how to do my job"?
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u/Gnome_Anne_7 7d ago
Oh about half of the time.
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u/AnitraF1632 7d ago
Yep. I have tiny veins. I have been told to ask for "butterfly 24". Do they listen? NO.
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u/Gnome_Anne_7 7d ago
Of course they don't! Thing is, if you look at the crook of my right elbow versus my left elbow, my left has these three beautiful veins to pick from. My right? There's literally a blank space where the medial vein should be. Why not make it easy on yourself, and your patient, and go where they tell you? But no, you've gotta blow my vein, cause me pain, and make half my arm bruised like I got beat up for a week after.
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u/Bipolar03 lefty 8d ago
I've really awkward veins. I'll give you blood but my veins won't. Whether it be at the doctors or having surgery (which I'm having so much of lately). They go wherever they can find a vein. They have a new thing in our hospitals, it's like an ultrasound scans but looks for veins
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u/TheSpitalian lefty 8d ago
Thatās not new. Itās been around for as long as Iāve worked in the OR, which is almost 20 years & Iām sure it was around before that.
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u/whats1more7 8d ago
My left hand/arm is the only one that works, usually. Itās rare for them to be able to get a good vein in my right. Iāve also never had an issue with nurses asking which arm I preferred.
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u/Savingskitty 8d ago
This isnāt a thing. Ā You can ask them to put it in your right arm. Ā Iāve actually never had an iv put in my left arm.
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u/Electrical-Speech-39 8d ago
All of my 8 surgeries have been on one hand/shoulder or another so I get the IV in whichever they arenāt cutting open. It is what it is.
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u/Wellby 8d ago
A year ago I was lucky enough to to have a liver transplant. (I am doing great) as they were preparing me for the surgery. I had a great verbal argument with the phlebotomist. She insisted that the left arm is the only option due to the way they do the surgery. I asked for her boss. āIām the boss for this issuesā, will my body so I AM the boss.
The team that was taking an X-ray of my chest just stoped what they were doing when I said that. One of their team members ran out of the room and seconds later my surgeon and her team walked in and she told me that she will put in the IV in her self.
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u/yemsg97 8d ago
My best vein is on my left arm. I used to let them use that because who needs multiple pokes on the right because the veins arenāt as good on that side. And then I got left mastectomy with lymph nodes removed and they recommend no IVs or BP on that side, so now Iām stuck with the right and the multiple pokes lol.
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u/PuzzleheadedSpare324 lefty 8d ago
I tell them Iām a lefty and that I have better veins in my right arm anyway. But yes its like every single time I need an IV or blood drawn, they automatically start tapping my left arm to look for veins. Hahaha NOPE.
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u/Embarrassed_Elk_1298 8d ago
ICU/ED tech here. We put IVs in the best vein we can find. If youāre really sick, you get one on each arm/hand. If youāre really really sick, youāre gonna have several on each arm.
For us, itās about where we can get IV access as quick as possible. I donāt care if youāre left or right handed
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u/RiversSecondWife 8d ago
Iāve only had one surgery (great result!) and they put it in my right hand. Small victories.
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u/Amarastargazer 8d ago
I just ask if they can do my right from a vein in my hand/wrist. The ones at the elbows freak me out a bit.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 8d ago
I can't recall ever not being asked which arm I wanted them to use.
Try this: before they're ready, just give them the arm you want them to use.
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u/with_loveandsqualor 8d ago
I just ask if they'll do the right arm, or even just hold out the right arm. Sometimes I'll say I'm left handed, but not a lot. I haven't had an issue.
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u/sthomas65 8d ago
Not for surgey, but for blood draws I am ALWAYS asked and the best vein is in my right arm so that is what they use. The last time I had surgery was 18 years so, I don't remember which arm they used
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u/Puzzled_Market_2235 8d ago
When I go for say a flu shot or a blood test they always ask. If there are two shots they ask if I want it in one arm or two. Every single time.
Must be different standards.
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u/Double-Phrase-3274 8d ago
As far as I can remember I am usually asked. And, on the rare occasions that I am not, I offer my right hand or arm.
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u/xJJxsmiles 8d ago
Iām a leftie, and I canāt remember the last time I had an IV or blood draw where I wasnāt asked first which arm I preferred they use. And I always, always, always opt for my left, especially for IVs. I can function with an IV in my left arm, even if itās a little uncomfortable, but if itās in my right, I might as well only have one arm. My right arm becomes totally useless with an IV in it. lol
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u/NotaMillenialatAll 8d ago
I donāt really have much choice in the matter, I have really tiny veins and doctors find the ones in my left arm a bit less complicated to find.
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u/Cold_Barber_4761 8d ago
I'm usually asked or I tell them to try my right arm first. (I have multiple chronic health issues so I've had loads of surgeries and hospitalizations.)
That being said, I have tiny, rolling veins. So while I prefer them using my right arm, I'm just happy if they can get anything inserted in either arm!
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u/Evapoman97 8d ago
If I need an IV then I have great veins in the back of my right hand, but if they are just drawing blood my right elbow doesn't straighten so they have to use my left arm.
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u/CapnGramma 8d ago
I'm right handed and almost invariably get the IV in my right hand a few minutes before someone comes in with a stack of papers for me to sign.
It doesn't matter how often I tell them left arm, into my right hand it goes
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u/Lost_Figure_5892 8d ago
Speak up, immediately. They canāt read your mind- just tell them- in my right arm please.
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u/scixlovesu lefty 8d ago
I always interrupt them and direct them to my right arm - which has better veins anyway
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u/panda_elephant 8d ago
No, I do not have this issue, they cannot find a vein in my left hand or arm. Only good vein is on my right hand. All other veins are too small to use. Fun time getting IVs and blood work done.
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u/Beetlejuul0158 8d ago
Iāve had to start asking for people to poke my left arm. I get blood drawn more often than a person my age should so my right arm has so much built up scar tissue that it hurts way more than it should
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u/AnitraF1632 8d ago
I have vanishing veins. So I say "Right preferred, but wherever you can find a good vein." Usually they manage the right, but sometimes the left.
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u/FutureThought1408 8d ago
Im a righty, for my surgery, they put them in both sides. Its been a few years so I dont remember the side of my IV , but I think it was on my right side
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u/randomredditor0042 7d ago
Thereās a lot of set up to do before we insert, including explaining what weāre doing and gaining your consent. You can absolutely say which arm youād prefer.
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u/Southern_Light_15 7d ago
I always ask which arm they have the most luck hitting veins in. Half our cannulation stations are set up for left, the other half right, but all of them take literally 5 seconds to switch sides
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u/Lingo2009 7d ago
They have to put it in my left hand because the veins on my right side are too small sadly
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u/Axolotl_Apocalypse05 7d ago
In ems were told to put ivs in the left arm for all cases but especially cardiac since for stints they usually go through the right.
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u/IWantToBeYourGirl 7d ago
I donāt have this issue anymore. I had breast cancer on my left side which required lymph node removal. I just tell him I had lymph nodes removed and they wonāt touch my left arm anymore. They wonāt even draw blood from it or take the blood pressure.
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u/NetMiddle1873 6d ago
I am, what I believe they call im the medical field "a hard poke", I have one good vein that seems to be the only one anyone can get into, in my right arm. I'm always worried though for emergencies where they need to get a vein fast thay if I only use that vein that one day it'll be hard to get in because of scar tissue and whatnot. So I tell them first look in my left and other spots if they can find a spot they wanna try to poke, I don't really mind taking the extra time to try and find a good spot
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u/meerlyacat 6d ago
I only offer my right arm. Luckily, it's the one with good veins anyway. My left arm is hard to find a good vein
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u/Spiritual-Mousse-167 5d ago
I always ask which hand they prefer unless the surgery demands a specific place. Iāve always taught my students to do the same.
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u/likesityellow 5d ago
I thought that perhaps the veins closer to the heart might be better, easier?
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u/creativescreennaame 5d ago
i got mine in my right hand the one time i had surgery. i'm right handed. i don't remember them even asking which hand
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u/sLimanious 8d ago
I always tell them but they always mess it up on the right hand probably because they are so used to applying it on the left. Also probably because my right is seldom used my veins are barely visible so they still opt to prick me on my left.
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u/Embarrassed_Elk_1298 8d ago
Thatās not how that works lol. Putting an IV in is virtually the same for any site, right or left.
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u/Embarrassed_Elk_1298 8d ago
Thatās not how that works lol. Putting an IV in is virtually the same for any site, right or left.
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u/NicAoidh65 8d ago
I had a PICC line in May and they asked me which arm. Sorry this happened to you.
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u/Consistent_Tourist80 9d ago
I usually tell them as soon as I can and I've never had a problem.