i used ti be in and out in 90 minutes until september. now its usually 3 hours even when its not busy. hire more people so the process goes quicker. and they need to get rid of the pop musc. replace it with kday stream or sports talk radio
DN
Deb N.
I had an appointment for 12 o’clock…
I had an appointment for 12 o’clock today. I sat on a bed for 40 minutes and nobody ever came over to me. People were coming in after me and getting served first. I finally just got up and walked out. I will try again later today if I cool off.
MH
M H.
Might Switch to Grifols, Ames IA
My donation location is Ames IA. Might be switching to Grifols on N Loop Drive. Kept getting Biolife ads for an extra $800 for 8 donations in 30 days, thought it wouldnt hurt to try. Week 4, had a med change by my PCP. Did not take the new meds as I did not want them to interfere with completing the final donation. A very rude nurse made me wait an hour for med change review, while she completed new donor exams for people who arrived after me. Then, advised of the new prescriptions, despite not having taken the meds, she imposed a 30 day ban on donation from when the meds were prescribed, so I could not complete my donation. Manager Kyle seemed to want to be more reasonable, but acted like his hands were tied. I was offered a "comeback card" for a much lower amount, and only good if I return and do 2 more donations within 30 days (you know, the exact time of the donation ban). Nothing about this on the website.
Oh, and their app is supposed to not let you schedule if you aren't eligible to donate. But immediately after leaving, I wondered if that was true.. Found out I was able to schedule for the next day (I canceled it of course). But if I go back, that gives me zero confidence that I won't travel there next time and not still have a ban in place and it will be another big waste of time.
JD
Jerred D.
I have been coming and donating for…
I have been coming and donating for well over 2 years now and everything is usually awesome, even when the place is at its busiest, however today was very frustrating. I got to my donor bed and was waiting, (well past an hour from my appt. time). I observed the guy doing disconnects and then started getting someone else set up that came in way after I did. I told the lady at the front desk and she informed him that I had been waiting a long time and was supposed to be next. He finally came over, no sorry about that, no how are you today or anything. Then once done didn’t ask if I was okay ot to let him know if I needed anything.
SP
Sheila P.
I am an eight gallon whole blood and…
I am an eight gallon whole blood and several platelets donor but was told I was ineligible to donate plasma because I fainted one time in my adult life. This would have been good information to have before I drove an hour and a half to the facility and spent 2 hours in the screening process. Should have at least been given the opportunity. Want the $100 I was promised at least for my time since it was not my choice to donate. Warning to new donors, don’t waste your time if you have ever fainted even one time in your life!
AN
Anna
more experienced staff
I believe you should have better training or not allow beginners to place IV. My fiance has gone in and has been hurt often to where his arm swells up because of inexperienced staff. He had a girl this week literally just stick the needle downwards so deep with no reason as to why she did it that way then called for help. His arm has been swollen all week because of her mistake.
This has happened plenty of times and he hates saying anything because were too nice but it's not fair to be hurt. He said he already knows who knows and doesn't know how to do their job correctly in regard to administering the IV and just waits in hopes of not getting hurt because he wont speak up.
I know a person chooses to donate but also should not be hurt just because it's a choice to be there.
BC
Brandon C.
Unsanitary Conditions at this location
The first mistake in my Biolife journey was when the person sampling my blood from my finger for my physical dropped the thing that pulls the blood from my finger, on the counter before using it to pull blood. Seemed unsanitary. Then the second mistake was when the girl who was going to put the huge needle into my arm used her gloved hand to move around her nose piercing; she never changed her glove after that and I never saw her change her glove between patients. That seems like cross contamination. Now, I'm super upset because the spot she stuck me with a needle now has a rash on it, the rash isn't getting better. Very disappointed with the cleanliness of the Phlebotomus, she shouldn't be aloud a nose piercing if she is going to be messing with it incessantly with gloved hands if she doesn't know proper glove procedure. I'm worried this rash is a sign that she got my needle hole or needle dirty because I never have rashes.
JJ
Janell J.
Dear BioLife Plasma Team,
Dear BioLife Plasma Team,
I am writing to express my disappointment with the experience I recently had at one of your donation centers. After waiting for over three hours in the waiting area, I was still not seen, which is simply unacceptable. Throughout this time, I noticed that the staff displayed poor customer service, and were not friendly or helpful in addressing the long wait times.
If the donation process is going to take upwards of six hours, BioLife should be transparent with potential donors about the actual time commitment. It is unfair for donors to be kept waiting for hours without any updates or accommodations.
I hope that BioLife can take this feedback seriously and improve its communication and customer service standards. If these issues aren’t addressed, it will likely discourage many potential donors, as it has done for me.