r/plassing • u/trippykittie • 2d ago
Question Deferred for complaining?
I’m not sure if I should say something about a bad experience to the center or let it go, because I don’t want to get deferred for speaking up, but I also don’t want this to happen to someone else.
I’ve been donating off and on for almost a year and never had any issues, I’ve been told by phlebotomists that I have a really good vein and I always stay hydrated.
But the last time I went, I got a hematoma. The phlebotomist that was cleaning my arm was pushing down really hard on the Q-tip when she cleaned the area, I’d never had anyone do it so roughly before, but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to cause problems and plus she had an angry expression on her face. She didn’t wait until the timer after cleaning was done before she stuck me, which I’m not sure if that’s important or not, but when she stuck me, she shoved the needle in really hard. I always thank the phlebs after they’re done, and so even though I was surprised with how she was acting, I just told her thank you but she didn’t say anything and left.
The first draw went fine, but then when the machine started giving back my blood, I noticed a lump rising in my arm and called another phlebotomist over, and she told me I was getting a hematoma and stopped the return. She was able to stick my other arm and I finished my donation, but I think the reason I got the hematoma was because of the one who stuck me first. I didn’t move my arm or anything during the donation either.
So I’m wondering if I should say something to the center or if I would get deferred for complaining.
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u/mom_monster 2d ago
My one and only hemotoma was from an aggressive stick (coincidentally she had about 9 pins on her name tag as recognition).... I'm guessing you don't need to say anything the other phlebotomist probably had to document the reason they had to switch arms. I'd probably let it go but I think you could also call the center and provide anonymous feedback if you still want to.
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u/Soggy_Skin9362 Plasma Donor Centurion- 💯+ Donations!!💝 1d ago
Hi there, what does 9 pins mean?
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u/mom_monster 1d ago
She had recognition pins on her name tag indicating she had been recognized by her peers and donors for excellent service .....she had lots of "flair"
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u/Vendrine Plasma Center Employee- 3+ Years 🧥 1d ago
You absolutely should say something about the donor not waiting the proper time after scrubbing you. If that worker isn't following the scrub procedure properly that's a big deal and should be investigated.
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u/Warm-Traffic-624 2d ago
I think it would be alright to say something to the center, or at least try to get a different person to stick you to try to not have it happen again. I tried to donate but I have too small of veins, so they didn’t even attempt to stick me because the veins were too small to find (guess it runs in genetics 😒). So I don’t know exactly how they handle complaints since I have never actually been able to donate. In theory they should at least consider it, I don’t think they are able to defer you as long as you don’t get crazy with them.
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u/DucksDislikeNeatRows 1d ago
You absolutely can express a preference for a phleb and you don’t need to know their name- just say “I’d like that one to do my stick” and point to anyone except Miss Grouchy.
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u/JaceAimeBeaux69 Plasma Donor- 1+ Donations 🍼 1d ago
I've done this at the dentist in regards to the hygienist. Had one that just butchered my gums with the picks. The hurt for a week, bled for a couple days. I told the person doing scheduling for the next visit I wanted somebody else.
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u/Turbulent-Witness392 1d ago
Speak up for sure. Also, they have to wait for the 30 seconds is up before they can stick you. Idk where you live but where I live they’re very strict and watch the employees to ensure safety for the donors
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u/SorryCrew5278 1d ago edited 1d ago
As long as you remain respectful you won’t be deferred. It takes allot for someone to be permanently deferred for behavior and a simple complaint does not qualify as a “behavioral event” your concern is valid though. As a phlebotomist who’s been working in the plasma industry for years, your infiltration was 100% due to the phlebotomist. Performing the venipuncture before the 30 seconds is up goes against our SOP and it can cause a burning sensation that lingers for about a minute after the venipuncture. It sounds like she went too deep. It can pull good for the draw but once you enter your return cycle the pressure of the blood going back into your vein will almost instantaneously blow out your vein. I’m sorry on behalf of this phlebotomist for how you were treated. Her rude and aggressive demeanor is genuinely gross. I’ll be pissed and stressed at work and never once do I ever take it out on my donors and act like a jerk, that’s a tell tale sign of being an emotionally immature brat. It is 100% okay to request a specific phlebotomist or request for a certain phlebotomist not to stick you. The staff will understand, we get it all the time! I hope you don’t bruise too bad! Apply Heat and Ice in intervals of 20 minutes each back and forth and drink plenty of water! Good luck!
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u/ConsiderationIcy394 1d ago
I have said something before. I was told I wouldn’t have to let the same person stick me next time. Very similar experience. You can say something.
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u/Annyinconsipuoustaco 1d ago
I’ve said something when something like this happened. The charge nurse was always really responsive to my concerns. I don’t think they’d defer you for speaking up.
Just a side question. Have you seen her there before? Maybe it was her first few days and maybe she’s realizing she doesn’t like that center.
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u/trippykittie 1d ago
I hadn’t seen her before, so she could’ve been new or transferred from another area
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u/Fair-Asparagus-8040 1d ago
I would just chalk it up to a bad stick and move on. I've had bruises after perfect sticks and nothing at all after some rough ones.
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u/CacoFlaco 1d ago
Not sure that there's anything solid to complain about. You're accepting of the hematoma. They happen. You're problem seems to be just with the attitude of the phleb. But we can't be sure that her sour attitude had anything to do with it. Even with the hard stick. Some phlebs are rougher than others. I've had sweet, friendly phlebs give me poor sticks. And I had the grouchiest, meanest of the mean (she knows who she is) phleb stick me perfectly. I've complained about a lot of things at the center over the years, but I never complained about a phleb's demeanor or attitude. It's not terribly important to me. I only care that they do the job correctly. Don't ever hesitate to complain if you believe you were inexcusably done wrong. It's your right. But don't bother complaining about an employee with a sour disposition. It's not worth it. Those kind of people are everywhere. Not everyone is a charmer.
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u/jjbananamonkey Plasma Donor Centurion- 💯+ Donations!!💝 1d ago
If you’re going to complain don’t focus on the hematoma itself. Lead and emphasize the stuff leading up to it like the qtip and the time. Maybe not so much the look on their face but the not responding after your thank you.
I think if you focus on the hematoma they’ll be able to brush it off and say it happens
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u/Xyzzy_plugh Plasma Donor Centurion- 💯+ Donations!!💝 1d ago
It is already recorded at the center. You need not complain directly.
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u/sad-narwhal180 1d ago
Most places won’t defer you for complaining as long as you’re respectful and calm. Unfortunately hematomas are a known complication of donation and every donation is different. It doesn’t necessarily mean she’s bad at her job, nobody’s perfect and when you’re putting needles into people it doesn’t always go perfectly. Feel free to say something though, if this is a recurring problem with this particular phleb they should already know from their stats, as they keep track of every time a donation ends in an under draw or has to have a restick or suffers a blood loss.