Why Does the Emergency Room Draw Blood?

ER Tips

Oct 25, 2016

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Everyone has experienced a blood draw at a family doctor’s office.

What many are not aware of is that emergency rooms also draw blood.

5 Things Emergency Rooms Check for in a Blood Test

Why does the emergency room draw blood? Here are a few reasons.

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

If there is concern that you may have an infection or that you are experiencing anemia, a CBC will likely be ordered. This stands for Complete Blood Count which checks your white and red blood cells.

2. Chemistry Profile

This test can help to quickly determine if you have any number of health problems including the following:

A Protime test is conducted if you are on a blood thinner, and your doctor needs to make sure that your blood is at a safe or healthy level. He or she can determine if you are on the correct dose of blood thinner.

3. Arterial Blood Gas Test

This test is carried out in an emergency room blood draw for a number of reasons. Blood is taken from an artery as the name suggests. This can help to diagnose a variety of conditions, such as:

  • Drug Reactions
  • Diabetes-related issues
  • Heart Problems
  • Overdoses

The blood is usually taken from the wrist and the test helps to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood, carbon dioxide, and PH levels. Results from this test can be obtained as quickly as fifteen minutes.

4. Blood Alcohol Level

There are other reasons for blood tests as well. Sometimes it is necessary for staff to check the blood alcohol level of patients.

5. Pregnancy

At other times, it may be crucial to a woman’s treatment to know if she is pregnant or not.

Visit Complete Care

As you can see, blood draws are not just something performed at your doctor’s office. Emergency room workers also rely heavily on blood samples to assist their patients as quickly as they can while maintaining the best possible care.

At Complete Care, we work diligently to make sure that all of your emergent needs are handled with excellence. We provide 24-hour emergency services and are always there for you if you are in need. We love making sure that you and your family stay healthy.  To learn more about Complete Care, call your nearest location for more information.