Birmingham Red Cross Blood Donation Center - UAB Medical

Joe Chiles _{on Google}

Apr 14th, 2021

This donation center is currently (April 2021) located on the second floor, between the gift shop and the entrance from the 4th avenue garage. The staff are friendly and efficient. No issues with my donation today.

Katherine Kozera _{on Google}

Aug 11th, 2020

I have given blood at this location 3 to 4 times with many pleasant experiences. However, my last visit makes me not want to return. I had a pleasant interaction with staff screening at the door and the staff member conducting the physical. The issues arose during the actual blood donation stage.
The staff member that took the blood sat me in 3 different chairs. This includes a chair that had not been wiped down. I would usually not be picky about this, but I am donating in a hospital during COVID-19 and was placed in a used chair.
I was there for around 90 minutes (from walking in to having the needle removed), but that is not my primary concern. My main complaints were she did not initially use the proper bag for my blood type. If not checked on, she would have not been able to use my blood for the premature baby enzyme. The bag switch added about 15 minutes.
She did not properly stow the blood causing the extra bags to fall out creating a weight overflow. While she was trying to fix this problem, no one was taking time to help her. The test tubes were lost so the ending process continued. I sat with the needle in my arm for an extended period of time due to the weight overflow and lost test tubes. Based off previous donations, I would say I spent an extra 10 minutes (at least) with a needle in my arm after the donation was completed.
My final complaint was the environment of the center. I witnessed one staff loudly argue with multiple people for 5 minutes while they closed around me. Also, my lady was obviously new to the job. She made errors and it was not the smoothest donation, but my main issue is no one came and helped her when she asked questions. They would simply yell an answer that was not helpful to her credit.
As I stated at the beginning, I've had pleasant experiences here. I am a teacher, so I have always come towards the end of day. No donation was unpleasant as this one. Due to convenience and passed experiences, I will donate at least one more time at this location. I hope this review can help fix the unpleasantries I experienced, otherwise I will not be returning.

Troy Venable _{on Google}

Dec 29th, 2017

Gave blood, not much more to say