New blood draw clinic meets needs of youth with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions

Blood draws can be stressful for children with autism, Down syndrome and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The new PATH Glassrock Blood Draw Clinic is dedicated to helping these patients have a safe and successful phlebotomy experience.

PATH stands for Promoting Accessibility to Healthcare. The new clinic is part of the PATH project funded by Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis to improve care for children who are neurodivergent and their families.

The clinic is available to UC Davis Health patients 17 years and younger (or up to 18 if still in high school). Patients with neurodevelopmental conditions as well as those who benefit from additional support for medical anxiety are eligible.

The clinic is located in the Glassrock building on Stockton Boulevard and is open on Thursdays. It features phlebotomists and specialists from the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. They were trained by UC Davis MIND Institute experts in how to care for patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

“Neurodiverse patients get their blood drawn quite frequently because a lot of medications require close monitoring,” explained PATH Program patient navigator Katharine Harlan Owens, who is also the mother of an autistic child. “As a parent, I can tell you this is an area that needs so much support. It really warms my heart that we can now offer this to patients and families.”

Neurodiverse patients get their blood drawn quite frequently because a lot of medications require close monitoring. As a parent, I can tell you this is an area that needs so much support. It really warms my heart that we can now offer this to patients and families.”—Katharine Harlan Owens, PATH Program patient navigator

Clinic is by appointment only

The PATH Glassrock Blood Draw clinic does not offer walk-in services. All patients require an appointment. This is because a child life specialist reaches out to each family ahead of time to ask about support needs and to prepare them for the visit.

Danielle Giovanetti is the dedicated child life specialist at the PATH Glassrock Blood Draw Clinic. During each lab draw she helps the patient cope and works to ensure a positive experience. “It’s important to create individualized coping plans because every child’s needs and coping are different,” Giovanetti explained.

Angelique Durden, a patient support services manager in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine who oversees the new clinic, notes that she’s seen big improvements for families.

“The different levels of support make a huge impact to the patient and family experience. Blood draws are often everyone’s least favorite thing to do, so however we can make the experience better is a plus,” Durden said.

A makeover and sensory, visual and other supports

The newly remodeled clinic includes a giant “I spy” sea life mural, sensory lamp and lights that can be dimmed to reduce stimulation.

“While I’m drawing blood, the kids love finding the turtles and the jellyfish and doing so takes their mind off what is going on with the physical process of getting their labs done,” said phlebotomist Nina Patrick.

There’s also a new, large chair where parents can sit with a child on their lap.

“The chair allows parents to provide comfort holds during the lab draw,” Giovanetti said. “We can also offer patients sensory supports like an iPad, weighted blankets, fidget devices and more.”

Cynthia Silva, a laboratory supervisor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, notes that everyone involved has learned things that they can use in other care settings, too.

“Every PATH clinic day our phlebotomists learn different challenges that a neurodivergent patient may have.  Our lab team can apply new comfort skills not only to this population of patients, but to any pediatric patient that may need additional support during a phlebotomy procedure,” Silva explained.

The clinic began seeing patients this past November. “So far, all the parents have shared with me that it has been the best experience their child has had for a lab draw,” Giovanetti said. “It’s validating to hear how important this clinic is to families.”

Steps to schedule an appointment at the PATH Glassrock clinic

Step 1: To make an appointment please call 916-734-7373 and select option 1 for Pathology Client Services. Appointments can be scheduled Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Clinic appointments are available on Thursday mornings at between 9-10:30 a.m. and Thursday afternoons from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Step 2: After the appointment has been scheduled, a UC Davis Health Certified Child Life Specialist will reach out prior to the appointment date to help prepare for the visit and talk through support options.

Appointments can only be scheduled with a lab test order. Please note: some specialized lab tests may require pre-approval from insurance before an appointment may be scheduled.

For clinic-related questions, please email PATH program manager Katharine Harlan Owens at HS-PATH@ucdavis.edu.