This is a copy of my formal complaint.
I am writing to formally report multiple serious incidents at your center involving unsafe medical procedures, inaccurate documentation, and unprofessional behavior from several staff members.
Several months ago, during my donation, the needle was not inserted correctly. It was partially hanging out of my arm and causing bleeding and significant pain. I told the technician that I was in pain, and I showed them the blood that had just begun to pool and drip from the insertion site. I was told this was "normal," even though the needle was visibly not positioned correctly. This dismissal of my pain and the visible bleeding was entirely inappropriate and unsafe.
I have attached a photo from that donation which clearly shows the needle improperly inserted and blood leaking from the site. I had been feeling completely fine until this occurred. Instead of acknowledging the improper needle placement, I was told that the reaction happened because I "didn't eat or drink enough," which was not true.
After removing me from the machine, I was given something to eat and drink, told to sit for 15 minutes, and then instructed to leave. I followed every direction I was given.
Later, I learned that this donation was coded as "the donor wasn't feeling well," which is inaccurate and misleading. I was not "feeling unwell" -- I was reacting to a procedural error. I want to know what potential medical complications I was exposed to due to a needle being improperly inserted and partially hanging out of my arm.
Based on standard plasma donation safety guidelines, I could have suffered:
Hematoma / internal bleeding
Infiltration or extravasation (blood or return fluids entering tissue)
Nerve irritation or nerve injury
Tissue damage
Infection at the insertion site
Arterial nicking, depending on angle and position
A vasovagal reaction triggered by pain and blood loss
These are real medical risks, and none of them were acknowledged or addressed by your staff.
During my most recent visit, my fingerprint would not register. A technician tried multiple machines before checking the system. She found an error message stating that I had "left without being released" during that previous donation -- which is completely false. I was released by the nurse after being told to eat, drink, and wait. Your staff gave me permission to leave.
When I asked why my fingerprint was missing and why inaccurate notes were in the system, the nurse became combative and dismissive. She argued with me, insisted nothing was wrong, and went so far as to call me a liar. This is unacceptable behavior, especially given the safety issues that occurred.
At the front desk, I was met with more hostility. The staff member spoke to me in a confrontational tone that felt aggressive and unprofessional. Had a supervisor not walked over at that moment, the situation could have escalated.
Additionally, when you ask staff for their names -- including supervisors -- they claim they do not have to provide them. This lack of transparency is inappropriate in a medical setting where accountability is essential.
Because of all of this, I am requesting:
A full investigation into the improper needle insertion and the staff's refusal to take my report of pain and bleeding seriously.
A formal explanation of the medical risks associated with the needle being inserted incorrectly and partially hanging out of my arm.
A correction of the inaccurate system record stating I left without being released, and the inaccurate coding of the incident as "donor didn't feel well."
A review of the conduct of the nurse, the technician, and the front desk staff.
Clarification of BioLife's policy on staff identifying themselves when a donor asks for their name.
Assurance that appropriate retraining and corrective action will be taken.
I take donation seriously and have always done my part to follow procedures. What I experienced instead was unsafe medical practice, inaccurate reporting, and openly hostile treatment. I expect a timely and thorough response regarding what steps will be taken to address these issues. read more