Quest Diagnostics — Local services in East Haven

When I called your national line to make an appointment for blood draw, I indicated that I had no insurance. Also, my intake form given to me by my doctor requesting the blood draw stamped the form as being eligible for a discount due to lack of any insurance. Upon meeting my phlebotomist she asked for my insurance card so I replied I had none. She then told me I could not have my blood drawn because of this. I then told her my intake form, which she was holding, indicated I had no insurance and was eligible for a discount. She replied that the form was not stamped so I walked next to her and pointed the stamping out to her. She acted surprised and very nervous, as if she had never encountered anyone without insurance. Thus began a long drawn out inquiry into what my total bill would be before the test began. There was even a problem with getting an itemized bill to account for exactly what the total $842 bill covered. Now to the blood draw itself: The day before I had called into the test location to tell them I usually passed out for 2-5 minutes after the blood is drawn from me. I explained that it was nothing to be concerned or alarmed about and no action needed to be taken on their part in that event. The phlebotomist said it was fine and they had a recliner chair that should be requested upon my arrival. Once there, I had to remind her about the chair. Some other technician's stuff was on the chair. As I warned them I went semi conscious for about 3 minutes. The phlebotomist asked me twice "are you ok?" to which I could not reply...what part of "passed out" does she not understand? When you are passed out you are typically not capable of responding....and this is who we have working in our medical field today. Then I could hear her pacing back and forth from the hallway back to my location to complain to the other staff about the fact that I was unresponsive...again, I told her before the blood draw exactly what would happen and that it was no need to be alarmed. Overall, I would not go back and caution anyone...

Firstly, there is a mountain of red tape just to get in for an appointment: make your appointment online, then you have to get an email with a confirmation code -but the workers do not even know this confirmation code when you go there with your ID; Then you have to click a text link when you arrive; then sign in on their intake computer(which sometimes works but not always), The staff are ALWAYS backed up with people and running late so they are constantly confused and rushed. Even if you have been there 3 times in the past with the same exact phone and address there is an additional 10 minute wait for them to "verify" and enter all your info on their computer. As far as their staff the black woman with short hair is nice, but all the others are rude and have no compassion. I told the phlebotemist that I cannot control the fact that I pass out after having blood drawn so I would need to lay in the chair after for 2-5 minutes....She said that would be fine but once it happened she started pacing around and acting stressed, then went into side room to complain that I passed out. Then she starts with the "are you ok, are you ok" over and over. That is not how you act or talk to someone who has that bodily reaction. Stay away...

If I could give this zero stars I would. Usually when I go to quest, they are wonderful. The woman who I saw today (I’m not sure of her name) she has a shaved head and was wearing a mask. She first said in front of everyone in the waiting room “did you not hear me call your name?!?” In front of everyone and I told her I didn’t hear her. (They usually say first name due to hipaa but she mispronounced my last name so I assumed she was calling someone else). So I’m thinking, whatever, some providers have bad bedside manner.

But then I go in to the treatment room and she was still upset and barely felt for a vein and jabs me hard, while she keeps saying “open your fist!” “CLOSE your fist!” Then goes “did you NOT drink water?!” I assured her I drank 30 ounces before coming. Then a minute goes by and I think it’s over and I’m in a lot of pain and there’s blood all on my arm… but no she goes straight for the other arm without telling me what she was doing. I sit there in disbelief, fearful of saying anything as the woman was irate. I have pictures of all of the blood and intense swelling and bruising on the arm. Imagine she did this to an older person with more fragile veins?! I will not be...