This happened to me a few months ago...
I went into this BioLife center and was greeted nicely and completed my paperwork. When asked about allergies, I mentioned I had a minor latex allergy. I was then sent to the certified nurse, whom, on first seeing me, was super rude and belittling, demanding to know why I was sent to see her. She looked up my chart and behold, I have a latex allergy. This apparently is a damning piece of information... She went on to ask if I had ever experienced a situation when my throat closed during latex exposure. I said yes, only once as a child when someone literally stuck latex adhesive butterfly strips under my nose. I have had latex experiences since then and other than a painful rash, had no other adverse reaction. I told her this, and she proceeded to raise her voice and explain I was not an "appropriate candidate" for donation. Explaining they HAD latex free bandages available BUT did not want to run the risk of a worker accidentally bandaging me with a latex bandage..... She then proceeded to tell me that I was "permanently banned" from this and any other FDA approved plasma center. She told me good luck if I went to a non-approved center, but don't try coming back to any BioLife in the US because they will see the ban she put on my chart. She asked me if I had any questions. This is the first time I had spoken since explaining my minor allergy, yet the entire time she was speaking she was increasingly raising her voice until practically yelling, had a very mean scowl on her face, and only smiled when she explained how I was banned. I asked why it was such a risk to bandage me in a latex bandage if it's clearly written in my chart that I had an allergy to it, also providing that I would also remind the staff member myself... She went on to explain how exceptional their staff was, and whipped her computer screen around to me so fast and so aggressively it unplugged several other units, and explained how again, I was banned. She told me to leave the room, and pointed to the door. I walked myself out and gently pushed her door shut, obviously she did not care enough to walk me out or say goodday, my being "banned" and all. I sat in the car for the next 40+ minutes waiting on my husband to finish donating, and saw at least 7 people walk out with a latex free bandage. I know it was because their latex free bandages or lime green, whereas regular bandages used are purple. I am severely upset and hurt by this interaction. I am somewhat understanding of why they do not permit me to donate, but I am not tolerant of the behavior exhibited to me today. Something must be done about her behavior and my inconvenience. read more