Mildly Annoyed: A Blood Donation Not a Rant but a Criticism

[Bill]

So I went to donate blood today, for the first time in at least 15 years. Just feeling, I don't know, community minded. So I get a young lady as the phlebotomist, and she spends an inordinate amount of time finding a blood vessel, using the blood pressure cuff AND having me squeeze my hand. She needs to mark it, then she does multiple pricks with a tiny needle, and finally, we're ready for the real thing. No blood is coming out. An older worker comes by and readjusts the needle. Now we're getting a little blood, but it's not really pouring out. I take aspirin, so yeah, it should pour out. More adjustments of the needle, enough blood comes out for the test vials, but....it's obviously still not right.

So they call the whole thing off. Could be a piece of skin occluding the needle, or I have sticky platelets that are clotting too fast. I'm thinking, no way is my blood that thick, because I just had a sample taken at the doctor's office, one quick stick, none of the 'find a vein', pressure cuff/squeeze stuff, just stick the needle and blood pours out. So when the needle comes out, they are looking at the needle tip and, sure enough, there's a piece of skin, the reason I couldn't donate. I asked them if they wanted to try again on the other arm, if the older worker would do the stick, but they declined. I didn't want to make the young girl feel bad, but it was obvious she wasn't experienced with this. She told me she probably had about 4/10 that she couldn't get blood from, which doesn't sound right at all.

So it was a big waste of time, especially when I was willing to let them try the other arm. I mean, I'm already there, they are there, I've already gone through the questioning and health check.

[Rodnok1]

I have veins a blind person could stab 1st try and on occasion get some idiot who tries driving needle out the other side of my arm. I have pictures somewhere of failed attempts left my arm black and blue.

[Black94lt1]

I think once they start drawing, if they have to stop for any reason, you are done as it counts for your donation. I’m not positive as it’s only happened to me once, but I don’t think they are allowed to try again.

[ratflinger]

Yeah, they ain't allowed at all. You need blood from me then you are SOL

[Mike Mercury]

since my high blood pressure is under control... it is equally difficult to find a vein for blood draw.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

since my high blood pressure is under control... it is equally difficult to find a vein for blood draw.

I get a lot of blood draws, my phlebs all tell me to drink plenty of water before the draw.

[slewfoot]

Blood donations are fine for me. My favorite sticks are for surgery. I've had many and the prep room nurses trying to stick the anesthesia needle on the backside of my hand.

They can never get it right and stings like a bitch

[MadInNc]

They’re all blood sucking vampires. Never a good time or easy with me.

[04 commemorative]

I have had a few sessions end early too.....it sucks but once the needle is out of you they can't reinsert.....one time a different woman stuck me and nothing.....she tried moving it and nothing ...she put her hand on the needle and I looked at her and said ...do not take this out.....pull it out some and go for it ! She did and it worked.....it's not always a home run....keep giving,it helps so much

[Torqaholic]

Makes me dizzy just reading that. Normally not a problem but this one time in boot camp the dude jabbed that huge ass needle clean through the vein into the tendons in my elbow. He's jiggling it around and repositioning the needle saying "gimmie some blood" over and over. After third time I had to take a break. Went in the bathroom and sat on the floor. Saw stars until the sweat evaporated

Got a different guy after my break and he got it right the first try.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

I have had a few sessions end early too.....it sucks but once the needle is out of you they can't reinsert.....one time a different woman stuck me and nothing.....she tried moving it and nothing ...she put her hand on the needle and I looked at her and said ...do not take this out.....pull it out some and go for it ! She did and it worked.....it's not always a home run....keep giving,it helps so much

I can try again in 8 weeks, if I remember and am still in the mood. I'm OK with what happened. I mean, new people have a learning curve so maybe I helped the young lady get over that learning curve. That's what I am going to tell myself, anyway. I mean, I don't get upset when a new cashier messes up. It happens.....why should this sour my experience?

[Barn Babe]

Just do what I do, bring it to them in a bucket.

[Rodnok1]

Originally Posted by Barn Babe

Just do what I do, bring it to them in a bucket.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Barn Babe

Just do what I do, bring it to them in a bucket.

So you're related to Larry (RIP)? I hope he left you that c-2 in the will.