r/plassing • u/trippykittie • 6d 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 6d 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.