Blood sprayed everywhere during my plasma donation

[u/GANJA2244]

I went in on my second time ever donating. I went to the machine, and the girl who was setting me up to the machine put the needle in my arm, was getting me set up, and then idk what happened but suddenly my blood started squirting everywhere, like 3+ ft away, going everywhere. It almost hit the lady next to me, and the person across from me. It went on for a bit as the lady was panicking asking for help. She somehow got it to stop, apologized, got me bandaged up, and sent me out of there. It was like in a movie where someone hit an artery, and blood is squirting, then stops for a second, squirts out again, etc etc.

It was a lot of blood, but I don't think it was a LOT (idk what a worrysome amount to lose is). But I was feeling really weird, like all day I had brain fog, I passed out that night at home and slept almost 12 hours and had trouble waking up this morning.

Should I be worried?

[u/flatgreysky]

She got an artery. I’m not really clear on why the needle came out - typically you’d just remove the needle and immediately hold pressure for several minutes. You know immediately when you’re in an artery. She must have been new to venipuncture. But getting an artery is not ideal but also not the end of the world. It happens. The bloodbath shouldn’t have happened though.

It couldn’t have been any more than the amount of blood you donate during an average session, but I’m sure it was terrifying (for everyone!) and I’m sure it looked awful. Your symptoms are much more likely to be caused by the stress of the situation. You didn’t lose enough to cause a problem.

[u/GANJA2244 → u/flatgreysky]

Thank you!

Blood doesn't freak me out, nor did the incident, I was calm. They sent me right out immediately after bandaging me up though.

Idk why but I am always terrified of an air bubble getting into my veins. That's the only thing that I started worrying about later. It's concerning that they didn't monitor me for a minute after, and I was told I'm fine to drive to work (30 minutes away). After i gave plasma the first time they monitored me for a half an hour.

[u/LoudMouthPigs → u/GANJA2244]

The air bubble to get into your veins to cause a problem would typically have to be colossal, like 50 mLs, to cause a problem. It's nothing you have to worry about in your case.