I began the Phlebotomy program at Medright, Inc.in 2010. I chose Medright, Inc.By researching their website and then their student handbook. This information stated they would provide more than adequate training on "the most up to date equipment as they begin drawing on simulated patients. These vinyl hands and arms have the look and feel of real skin, they even have the appearnance of bleeding. Once the student becomes comfortable with the technique of drawing using both winged infusion set and evacuate tube system they begin drawing blood on actual people" (verbatim from their website).
In the student hand book it also states that the equipment Medright, Inc. Will provide includes venipuncture hands and venipuncture arms, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, centrifuges, and blood glucose monitors and strips, not to mention they said we would demonstrate on mannequins for both veripuncture and arterial puncture.
Well, there was no such equipment in any way, shape, or form provided to us and no evidence that such equpment even existed on the premises. We had a total of 12 attempted blood draws and they were only performed on each other.
Many of the students had no medical background at all and depended upon the promised time and equipment in order to become competent and comfortable before they moved on to actual people. They were not given that opportunity, which resulted in less than 50 % of the class passing during this particular 10 week program. The previous 10 week program had a less than 50 % passing rate as well. At this time I can only assume it was for the same reason.
After only 12 total attempted blood draws our final practical exam consisted of our names being randomly pulled out and matched up for the venipuncture. (We were told MANY times that the only way to become profiencent in phlebotomy is to PRACTICE.) Well, with only 12 practices on each other, for the final practical exam students were required to successfully get blood (given only 2 attempts) or they completely fail the entire program regardless of their academic excellence and professionalism.
I am a medical professional; a registered cardiovascular technologist and have been in numerous other medical programs in my life. Never has my ability to pass or fail been determined by luck or chance and not by my effort and commitment towards excellence.
This organization (Medright, Inc.) also belongs to Michigan Works, Work Skills Corporation and Michigan Rehabiliation Services. Those organizations, as I understand it, send peole to these programs offered by Medright, pay for their training, and assume that they are receiving an education that will assist them in getting employment. Well, tax dollars are being used to support a program where 1 out of every 2 students are set up to fail. I believe this requires investigation as well.
During an attempted blood draw on my hand, a student entered my hand with the needle at an inappropriate angle and hit a tendon/bone causing excruciating pain. Dismissing my verbal complaints that it was really hurting me, the instuctor allowed the student to continue with the procedure. My hand was throbbing and began to swell.
At this same time the instructor began screaming at the class to put back 7 needles that she claimed were mising. As we were standing there, having difficulty believling how she was behaving, she proceeded to, fueled by extreme anger, threaten us with calling the police and having us all searched. She continued on in this manner claiming if we refused to be searched we would be terminated. We stood in horror, with no one coming forward with the alleged missing needles. Finally, in frustraion she ordered us back to the classroom. The "missing" needles were never mentioned again.
At the end of class, I approached the instuctor and asked for an incident report form to fill out for my hand. She refused to give me one saying "just go home and put a warm compress on it and 'll catch up with you later." Which she never did.
I never returned to the program due to the fact that this instuctor's behavior was not just unaceptable but unfathomable and beyond my ability to overlook without some type of resolution.
I emailed the director the very next day to request a meeting with her and the instructor to discuss this inciddent. She refused the meeting, told me to fax her a written complaint and she would use that as the incident report (because they didn't have an official form) and supposedly investigate.
I submitted the written complaint via email and fax and following several emails between myself and Mrs. Lucas (which I have copies of) I realized that this complaint was not only being dismissed as insignificant, but that I would not be allowed to appeal to the board of directors (this named instructor who was involved in the incident is on the board of directors) and the outcome would be less than satisfactory. I was at that time, requesting a refund of my tuition.
I have tried to follow proper protocol and address my concerns to the president/director Mrs. Lucas personally, but now it is apparent that she is unwilling to continue negotiations.
Complaints have also been file with the Federal Trade Commission, the Michigan Proprietary School Board and their accredidation board (NAACLS).
0 comments