A Deeply Disappointing and Traumatizing Experience at Labcorp Millbrae
Our recent visit to Labcorp Millbrae was one of the most distressing experiences we've had as parents, and I feel compelled to share what happened in hopes that no other family goes through what we did.
From the moment we walked in, we were met with a dismissive and short attitude from the only staff member working that day. While we initially gave her the benefit of the doubt--assuming she might be under pressure--we had no idea this interaction would spiral into a nightmare.
Our 14-month-old daughter needed a blood draw to test for food allergies. As parents, we were already nervous and emotionally on edge. But things quickly unraveled when the phlebotomist began showing signs of confusion and uncertainty. She couldn't even clearly tell us how many vials she was supposed to draw--first stating she couldn't draw that much blood, then moments later saying she could. This flip-flopping, combined with her visibly shaky hands and scattered demeanor, immediately raised concerns about whether she was prepared or equipped to handle the situation.
What followed was heartbreaking. She attempted the blood draw twice, both times inserting the needle while visibly flustered, moving it around in our daughter's arm while trying to find a vein. Our baby screamed and cried, and we stood there helpless, watching in horror as someone we trusted inflicted unnecessary pain. Despite these two painful attempts, she failed to collect enough blood and ultimately told us the partial vial she had drawn would have to be thrown out.
What made matters worse was the complete lack of accountability. Instead of acknowledging that the draw was difficult or offering us a path forward, she blamed us for not holding our daughter correctly. There was no second staff member to help, no support, no backup plan--just excuses. When I asked if anything could be salvaged from the vial she managed to partially fill, hoping the trip and our daughter's suffering wouldn't be entirely in vain, I was met with vague, confused answers. She was unable to offer any solutions and even struggled to distinguish between Labcorp and Quest paperwork, further compounding the disorganization and chaos of the experience.
We left the facility heartbroken, angry, and emotionally exhausted. We came in looking for clarity about our daughter's food allergies and left with nothing--no test results, no next steps, and a deep sense of guilt for putting our trust in someone who was clearly unprepared to work with children. It was traumatizing, both for our daughter and for us.
To Labcorp's credit, I did speak with a supervisor afterward who was kind and understanding. But empathy after the fact does not undo the pain caused in the moment. I understand that healthcare workers are often overworked and under-supported, but that cannot justify the lack of care, composure, or accountability we witnessed--especially when it involves a baby.
I sincerely hope Labcorp addresses this at a systemic level. Until then, I urge other parents to think twice before bringing their children here. No family should have to experience what we did. read more