Quest Diagnostics — Local services in Meriden

I had to go in twice today to get blood work done because I forgot my paperwork for one of my doctors. The first lady who brought me in was incredible, she was in room 4. She was really polite and patient with me as I explained I have a really bad fear of needles, as well as that I have a family medical history which would result in her needing to use a butterfly needle, because, unfortunately, I have really tiny veins and those are the only ones any phlebotomists have ever been able to get blood out with easily. She was amazing, considerate, patient with me while I was trying not to panic, and overall a saint of a person. So are most of the other staff at this facility. They're kind, understanding, and patient with their patients, and will take the time to make sure they do their job well. The second time I went back after grabbing my paperwork from home, I had the older white lady in room 5. If you're reading the reviews, I bet you could take a guess as to who has had her vs who hasn't. She starts by taking me in, doing her job as she should, and the moment I go to explain to her my veins are really small and she will need to use a butterfly needle, she brushes me off and ignores me. While she's checking my arm, she stretches the rubber band over a very obvious, dark bruise I had previously, and I wince in pain, but I brush it off because I know she won't actually do anything about it. She continues to grab a normal needle, I ask about the butterfly needle again, she tells me it's faster, so I let her try. Obviously no blood. She tells me I should have drank more water. I had drank 3 liters of water every day for the previous 3 days and a cup of water when I woke up, as well as a little more between my visits knowing the next phlebotomist might have a harder time. She continues to talk over me and tell me I'm not hydrated enough and I should be drinking more water. I know I was hydrated enough because I've had this problem before and I know if I drink 3 liters of water the day before my bloodwork always goes smoothly. After she gives up on the large needle, after moving it around under my skin a lot and leaving what will soon be a massive bruise that'll be sore for days, she proceeds to pull out a smaller straight needle. I remind her I know it won't work, and because I had started to cry based solely on the fact I was frustrated with her and how she was refusing to believe me, she ran into another room to find a butterfly needle, and then proceeded to tell me she was going to use it "because of your anxiety." She did eventually get blood, only after trying to explain to me why she doesn't like to use the butterfly needles, and then telling me I might have to wait an hour to find out if the blood she collected would even work for the tests that need to be ran. Still no phone call so I'm assuming it was fine and she was just trying to scare me. After she took the needle out of my arm, I looked down at it, and noticed she had actually tried to draw blood out of a bruise, not sure if she felt a vein underneath, but she poked directly into a bruise. I have never felt more uncomfortable in a chair of a phlebotomist before I met her, and I've had her previously on many occasions because this is my nearest quest location. Previously I've had times when, when I was much younger and went in with my mom at like 13, she poked me with a needle 3 separate times, to no avail, I was crying profusely, and she had to bring another nurse in who got blood without an issue. She is always rude, will blatantly ignore parents asking questions about their children, dismiss her patients who can provide a literal history of these problems, and I have spoken to several friends who can say the same for her blatant disregard, as well as my own mother who I get my really small veins from. I seriously have no idea how she still works there because she does not approach the community she works with with an ounce of respect, she just does the bare minimum...

I didn’t even want to give them one star however I needed to to write this review. So today I went in after seeing my GI and with that said I was a walk in. I checked in for an 11:40 appointment per kiosk so I waited outside as the instructions said to be back 10 minutes prior which I did. There were 4 people in seats, 2 together so not bad. People came and went. My time came past so when the tech called the next it should have been me so I thought. I asked if my name was called and she asked if I had an appointment. I told her I checked in. She proceeded with an attitude and told me to recheck in. She also said even though I did others may go before me as I was standby. Nothing was noted about that but ok. I rechecked in and my appointment on the kiosk was standing at 11:40. Next person came and went so when she came back out another person spoke up with the same issue and had been sitting there for 2 hours. The tech rudely addressed him as well stating to us both if we were walk ins and appointments were taken before us. Ridiculous. I’m a PCA and took 2 clients there for the last 10 years which this issue never occurs before. This was my second time. The tech basically said you will be seen regardless and rudely slammed the door. At that point I was sick and my anxiety spiked so I walked out wishing others good luck as I’m never returning there again. Go to MidState Quest. They are professional and let you know of the time wait. Today was ridiculous. Wish the Undercover Boss Show visited there. Shame on that place. I didn’t leave so much for the unknown wait but for her to stick me with retribution as I was already dehydrated and have rolling veins....

Poor customer service! Went at 4:17pm . My husband is on Coumadin. First they didn't have the standing requisition a week or so ago. Today there were 3 people in waiting room. Kiosk said we'd be seen when they could fit us in. Tech rudely asked if we had an appointment. Upon saying no she said we could not be seen. My husband said he has been trying to have his inr done for a month. She said we had to have an apt as it was after 4pm and those were the "rules and she has to follow the rules! There was no signage saying this and the kiosk said we'd be fit in! We had talked to customer service a while back and were told apt was not needed! Very rude and poor customer service! Nicole is only nice one! *ANOTHER WASTED TRIP THERE TODAY! Made an apt for a urine test for preoperative bariatric surgery. Technician spent 10-15 asking me questions that were on the requisition! She told me test was $242 and Medicare covered $277. Then test was $277 and Medicare cover $242. Then said Medicare only covered $35. She didn't explain why! Mentioned diagnostic codes. The surgeon's office deals exclusively with Medicare clients so I'm sure they know how to fill out a requisition! Left WITHOUT having needed test done! Spent hr on phone with Medicare. Now have to inconvenience someone again to take me to another lab! Go...