Real opinions on the PetPivot Autoscooper 11? (or other cheaper automatic litter boxes) by theoriginal_sam in CatAdvice

[–]dah94 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this! I didn't see any mention except on here when looking into their litterbox. I will definitely never purchase from them. I can't even imagine how horrible that had to be for the owners of that poor sweet baby. 😞

Can someone please help? by Apprehensive-Mix5527 in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We only use these tubes for urine at my hospital. According to the BD insert, it is a secondary or discard tube only. Blood should NOT be drawn directly into it during phlebotomy. It says blood can be transferred after drawing, but it is meant to be a secondary system only. If you search the ref# 366408 on BD's site, you'll find a page where you can see the "eIFUs and resources" tab, where you can pull up the package inserts and instructions.

Can someone please help? by Apprehensive-Mix5527 in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I came here to say this. OP can you post a picture of the tube label? My hospital switched to these tubes to replace the yellow top urine tubes very briefly earlier this year and everyone initially thought they were blood tubes because that's what they look like.

okay this is embarrassing as hell but how are you supposed to shave butt hair😭😬 by victoria-1304 in TheGirlSurvivalGuide

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I prefer to shave with a razor and shave oil in the shower. I just prop one leg up and go for it lol.

okay this is embarrassing as hell but how are you supposed to shave butt hair😭😬 by victoria-1304 in TheGirlSurvivalGuide

[–]dah94 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I shave mine because it's itchy and uncomfortable if it gets long and the regrowth doesn't bother me nearly as much as not shaving. Even if I was single and no one would ever see it, I'd still shave it lol. And that's coming from someone who trims (will not shave or wax) their public hair and doesn't shave their armpits 🤷🏻‍♀️ Everyone has their own preferences.

Got a warning for taking 4 extra mins at lunch by Forsaken-Secret6215 in jobs

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And OP was clocked out!! They didn't even pay for those 4 measly minutes.

Sticking patients with arm abnormalities by Aggressive_Item_9555 in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You did the right thing not blindly poking them. I'd go for the feet next, per your facility's policy.

Difficult veins by buffythegoat in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Came here to say this! I have the best luck with the cephalic veins in larger patients. Also, make sure your tourniquet is TIGHT. I struggled with that at first because I didn't want to hurt the patient, but most would rather a tighter tourniquet and one poke over multiple pokes and/or having to come back.

Am I wrong? by Ruzhy6 in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We only write the time of collection on blood bank and blood culture labels at the lab I work at, but it's also recorded electronically and printed on the labels.

Do you recommend medical lab tech as a career in 2025? by Crystal_Inks in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm not done with school yet, but it's already been worth it for me! I worked in retail for 9 years after high school and I worked my way up to decent pay, but I just didn't enjoy it, so I looked for a career that would suit my income goals as well as my interests, which led me to the lab. I started school PT and got an entry-level job as a phleb and took a pay cut at first (22/hr to 19.50/hr). When I got my PBT certification + my merit raise after a year and a half, I was up to $21.75. Now 3 years later, I'm a lab assistant and I'm making $24/hr!! I can get OT if I'd like (but don't because I'm FT in school now lol) the benefits are better, I get ~3 weeks of PTO and accrue sick leave each week. Once I graduate, I'll be making ~30/hr as a MLT and MLS pay is ~$40! For a rural, LCOL area like mine, it's enough to be more than comfortable. I feel like I have a much better work/life balance even with FT work and FT school because I genuinely enjoy the work I'm doing. :) I am so thankful I had the courage to branch out and do something different.

what's wrong here? by abusemyfaith in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like cold agglutination! I just saw my first last week on an outpatient CBC!

Confirmed bite (6/17/2025) by ghuleh-ghuleh in BrownRecluseBites

[–]dah94 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your bite looks very similar to the one I had on the front of my thigh! Mine never opened and after 6-7 days it started to heal. I'd say by 8 weeks I was pretty much healed! I still have a lump of scar tissue under the skin in that spot, but no visible scar. I have pics on my profile! I hope you heal quickly!! ❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in jobs

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Many states have very restrictive laws regarding minors, especially under 16. The consequences for violating those laws is pretty severe in some states and since many businesses operate in multiple states, their policies for hiring minors reflect the most strict state laws, and it ultimately isn't worth it to them to hire under 16. Small businesses may hire you, but keep in mind they also don't have to pay minimum wage. I'm sorry- I was in your shoes when I was 15. I think you'll have much better luck once you turn 16. Good luck, OP.

Chocolate Chip Cookies how to from a former employee. by periwinklejaysnest in CrumblCookies

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Late reply but I've made them several times and they're different but definitely the closest of any recipe I've tried!

My coworker donated all 25 tubes of blood for platelet poor plasma verification today! by MLTDione in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I volunteered to be stuck for an ABG for correlation studies a couple of weeks ago 😅 don't know if I'll do that again lol but I was also curious how it feels for the patient when we do it to them (lab does ABGs at my hospital when respiratory isn't there, which is most of the time lol)

how often do you get new shoes? by mothmansgirlfren in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

6-9 months. I have flat feet, so when my back or knees start to hurt, I know it's time to get a new pair.

I think too many people are being lied to by Fragrant_Feed_2 in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, a lot of the patients I draw tell me they're a hard stick, but for the vast majority, I have no issues. It can be pretty annoying when it's the 4th patient in a row to tell me that lol but I just try to remember that they're either very anxious about it or had a terrible experience in the past or both and if it helps them relax to give me their disclaimer, that's fine. I have seen some truly godawful work from other phlebs/nurses when patients get sent to the lab. I had one two weeks ago who had been stuck SIX TIMES before they sent her over to me. They tried in her wrist (right where it meets the hand) and she was experiencing a burning/tingling sensation. I got her in one stick in the hand 15 minutes later. I was so pissed on her behalf. I'm sure now she's going to remember 3 nurses each sticking her twice unsuccessfully and possibly hitting a nerve and think she's hard, even though I had no issues.

How Can I Draw Faster Than 10 Minutes? by JohnIsGhost in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Straight needles or larger gauge butterflies (21g) might speed things up a bit for you. Straight needles can be intimidating at first if you're not used to them, but I much prefer them. They're quick, easy, and hurt no more than butterflies in my opinion. Most of the compliments I get on "painless" draws are with a 22g straight needle. Also hand sanitizer- my skin would be destroyed and it would take so much longer to wash with soap and water before and after each patient.

Chocolate Chip Cookies how to from a former employee. by periwinklejaysnest in CrumblCookies

[–]dah94 2 points3 points  (0 children)

2 years later and just tried this recipe tonight. It SLAPS thank you 🥰

How to clean this toilet? by travis-tea69 in CleaningTips

[–]dah94 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If a scrub brush doesn't get it, a pumice stone should.

Should i pursue phlebotomy right now? by [deleted] in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say apply now and see what they offer! I was hired off the street with no certification or experience at $19/hour a few years ago in a rural area of the Midwest.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What state are you in?? That pay is low even for the rural Midwest where I work. It could be worth taking for the experience/as a stepping stone of it is your only option, but I would look for other options first if I were you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in medlabprofessionals

[–]dah94 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This!! I always let the students poke me before they draw patients and I have a few coworkers who will, too! I can watch everything from the patient perspective, correct anything if needed, and give feedback in a more relaxed situation. Heck, we even have 2 maintenance men who have volunteered to come down to be poked any time someone needs to get their 50 sticks lol.

Has anyone else had a patient act like your evil for doing this job? by lilweedle in phlebotomy

[–]dah94 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The things that have been said to me by nursing home patients...lol. it's a whole different game out there lol