American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Washington DC

Waited 45 minutes (past my appointment time) to think they were ready to start taking my blood to realize that they were moving me into a second waiting room.

Well after an hour, I was still waiting. Upon asking, they said it would be 30 minutes more. I started to complain and then the staff promptly came to grab me. I wonder how long it would have been had I not spoken up. Not once did anyone mention or apologize about the long wait.

Upon getting setup, the staff person took my pulse and said it was too low to donate. After being there 1.5 hours, I was mad because these simple vital checks could be done as soon as you arrive. I was stunned to have waited that long to be told to go home. This should not be possible.

This was a waste of my time. I was excited to be donating blood as I had hear of the shortage. I walked away from the experience so disappointed. It makes me sad that others have the same experience.

I have been to this location four times now, and the first three times were pretty good. However, this last time (my first since COVID-19 began) was quite different. Like many of the reviews here, the process is moving very slowly. I arrived at around 12: 35 for a 12: 30 appointment, had my temperature checked at around 12: 55 (after someone else waiting in the lobby went in and got a staff member), and got in the chair for my platelet donation at about 2: 00, but didn't actually begin my donation until 2: 30. I'm hoping that once the pandemic is over and people can walk straight in that things will pick up again.

In terms of the platelet donation itself, I have been to another Red Cross location that puts the second needle in your non-squeezing wrist, which gives you some mobility in your arm. Here, they do both needles in the arm, either one or both.

Waited over an hour and hadn't seen a staff yet. They don't bother to check you in. Go elsewhere.

First, know that I really enjoy being a donor. I am a power red donor and glad that I am able to help people in this way. However, when I arrived, this facility was WAY behind. Several donors were in the lobby and had been waiting for an hour even though our appointments are always scheduled.

No one came out to give us a status or to communicate in any way. Donors started to leave. While many said they would reschedule, know that this facility is ALWAYS like this. And once you do get in, the phlebotomists are pretty rude.

I doubt anyone from the facility reads these. But if you do, know that you're losing donors. I'll give it 15 more minutes, then I'm leaving. If somehow they come out and call for me in that time, I'll update this review. If you don't see an update, know that I left, too.

Donated here off and on for over three years but always prefer going elsewhere if an appointment slot is open. They take forever, sometimes have untrained staff, have missed the vein and resulted in bruising, etc. I would not be as upset if I didn't have such wonderful experiences at every other Red Cross site I've ever donated to, so I know "it's not me, it's you. "

This place is badly managed and bad staff attitudes. I waited over hour for appointment and was told essentially to get over it. They wouldn't tell me how long I would have to wait even thought I had an appointment. I got up and left. The staff is rude and non-customer focused. I'm going to the center in Rockville now. Staff make you feel that you are needed and appreciated.

3 times they called and set up appointments and 3 times they cancelled my appointment 2 days before the scheduled date. No more.

First-ever donating and get to meet some of the Horrible staff here. I can’t believe the Red Cross has this kind of staff working in a place where people come and donate blood for free. Not only I waited 2 hours but the lady who was assisting me was speaking to me like I did something wrong. I canceled two meetings as this appointment took longer and still don’t mind, but the level of unprofessional behavior is unbearable.

I hated when one of the staff yelled at their intern or young volunteer in front of us waiting.

Red Cross Management - please train them to understand the value of what’s like to treat a donor. We don’t work for you or do business with you. We come to you to DONATE.

As many others have said, staff here just do not care about time. I book an appointment whenever I donate, and I’ve never been seen less than thirty minutes late. Even after COVID, when there are only appointments, they can’t run on time. I’d like to continue donating blood but they really ruin the process for what is a vital need

I will be going there to donate my blood, when these nurses see me they better act right, I am truly hurt.

Appt and arrived at 1: 45 didnt even sit down for finger stick til 3: 20.these people dont value donors' time and this is 100% the worst-run donation center.also saw them turn away other donors who said they had appts

I must agree with many other people, -the staff was rude and seemed annoyed about having to do their job. Male nurse made me feel uncomfortable, the way he looked and talked to me.

By far the worst staff I’ve seen yet, rude as soon as I walked in one of the staff member said “oh he is whole blood that doesn’t matter. ” And skipped me. I’m trying to donate blood and I waited an hour just for them to take more people in front of me who had “better” blood. Disgusting and the reason why people do not donate.

Wonderful! My body decided to react strongly to giving blood, the first time I've ever had such a bad reaction, but everyone here was so attentive and got me feeling better in no time. Vera was looking after me the whole time, but during the worst of it, everyone in the room in a Red Cross uniform was checking in with me! Despite the actual "feeling bad" part, everything went smoothly and I was given all the time I needed throughout the process. I'll be back when I can!

Everyone from the reception desk to the phlebotomists are helpful and dedicated. They offer services here just as high quality as any other Red Cross donation center. They even have WiFi here so you can watch videos while you donate platelets, just be sure to bring headphones. This is by far the cleanest donation center I've been to Red Cross and otherwise. Go ahead, save a life!

As a regular blood donor i decided to try this location- and for some unknown/ignorant reason this elderly black male attendant decided to treat me so abusively that I will never donate to this location. Not only did he yell simple requests "raise your hand! " like he was a staff sergeant, he proceeded to engage in vile verbally abusive conduct along with another donor in calling me racially hostile epithets due to my ethnicity (I think). Then i reported the encounter and never got a response - so no, never red cross ever again. My blood my choice - i go to other hospitals instead.

I left this location with a very bad taste in my mouth. The staff I interacted with were incredibly rude and condescending. I suspect this treatment turns many off from donating. I suggest you go to another donation center.

I would agree with many other people; the staff was rude and seemed annoyed about having to do their job. You can donate blood at Children's National!

Love donating blood with the Red Cross, but the staff at this location has been extremely rude on multiple occasions. I requested from the nurse doing my platlet donation to cover the needles in my arms with something (another nurse had done it in the past so I didn't have to look at it for two hours) and she told me to "stop telling me how to do my job" then mocked me for asking. It was really awkward and uncalled for- moral of the story: it's worth the extra distance to donate somewhere else.

Very nice, friendly and hospitable staff. Working hard to make sure I was comfortable and understood the whole donation/collection process.