recent bad experience

[cactus_79]

I went for my 25th donation yesterday. Despite telling the nurse that I have an intense fear of needles and seeing blood, the nurse told me to look at my arm after the donation, causing me to see blood oozing out of my arm. Despite me telling the nurse that I felt an ache in my arm towards the end of my donation, the nurse told me "you see, no bruise, no ache, no pain okay!".

I felt faint at the donation centre and felt faint once again later that evening as I removed the guaze from my arm as I irrationally feared seeing blood oozing out from my arm again...

[Shan Xue]

could it be that the nurse was trying to help you overcome the phobia? otherwise, next time no matter what others say, don't look at your arm after the donation, unless you feel blood dripping out :p

once after donating, i use plaster instead of bandage. shortly after i walk out the blood bank (still within HSA building), i feel something at my arm. i turned and saw blood dripping to the floor. apparently, my blood has not clotted and the plaster does not provide enough pressure. i went back to the blood bank and the nurse cleaned up for me and put on a bandage. i am sorry for the cleaner as she has to clean up the floor and the waste of blood :D

You are a great donor. Despite having phobia of seeing blood, you have donated 25 times :)

[cactus_79]

I don't think the nurse was trying to help me overcome the phobia. More like, she was trying to "protect herself" as towards the end of the donation, I remarked that I felt an ache in my arm. I added that the pain was mild but it was there and that I had felt similar pain on 2 or 3 previous occasions out of the 24 past donations. The nurse said there wouldn't be any more pain after she removed the needle. After she removed the needle, I didn't feel the mild ache and told her so. That was when the nurse asked me to look at my arm, and said "see, no bruise, just now no pain okay!" in a rather harsh manner. I don't know why she took such a defensive attitude when I never once hinted that I had planned to complain about the pain. Perhaps the nurse just had a bad day.

[Shan Xue]

Ya, maybe the nurse had a bad day.

[DrStoooopid]

I went for my 25th donation yesterday. Despite telling the nurse that I have an intense fear of needles and seeing blood, the nurse told me to look at my arm after the donation, causing me to see blood oozing out of my arm. Despite me telling the nurse that I felt an ache in my arm towards the end of my donation, the nurse told me "you see, no bruise, no ache, no pain okay!".

I felt faint at the donation centre and felt faint once again later that evening as I removed the guaze from my arm as I irrationally feared seeing blood oozing out from my arm again...


I'm sorry that you had this experience, that phlebotomist had no right to make you feel uncomfortable like that. If you're afraid of needles she should have resepected that fear. Call the centre and report her behavior, that is NOT acceptable.

It would've been very simple for her to slighty adjust the needle and relieve your discomfort.

[be1993]

whatan evil bitch i bet she didnt give blood that nurse sounds bad at her job you should make a complant.

[laine]

Dear Sir

First of all we would like to express our appreciation to you for
supporting the national blood programme. We always value and appreciate
blood donors for their support. We recognise that it is only through the
efforts of regular blood donors like yourself that we are able to provide
crucial blood and blood products to the patients in hospitals. I am very
touched by your bravery act of overcoming your intense fear of seeing
needle and blood, again and again, to donate blood. You are in deed an
excellent role model for others to follow.

Please accept my sincere apology for the unpleasant experience during your
last visit and the resultant distress. We have interviewed the staff
involved. Apparently the nurse wanted to reassure you that the whole
procedure went smoothly and there was no bruise or swelling. Inadvertently
blood oozed out as she lifted up the gauze and this caused your discomfort.

This incident was unintentional and we have counseled all our staff to be
more mindful and attentive to donor’s feeling and comment. The attending
staff did not mean to cause any offence, and deeply regret any
inconvenience caused.

May I take this opportunity to thank you again for your unfailing support
and look forward to serving you again in the near future.

Warmest Regards,
Dr. Tan Hwee Huang
Deputy Director (Blood Resources)
Centre for Transfusion Medicine
Health Sciences Authority