Absolutely awful experience!! They left the tourniquet on…read moremy child's arm for the entire donation, and then argued with me when I told him if that was not appropriate. Two weeks later, my daughters arm is still black and blue and swollen and when I called, they continue to stand by the fact that you do leave the tourniquet on the entire time of the donation. My child has numbness in her hand now, and the vein is blown out, proceed with caution if you go here. Absolutely inexcusable!

I'm not going to say that I enjoy my visits here, because I don't enjoy the process, but it's not…read moreall bad. The staff here is friendly and gets the job done quickly and efficiently. I've donated at the Blood Center and at a few different off site locations. My latest donation was at Lakeside Mall. I happened to be there and the giveaways were pretty cool. A Tricentennial TShirt?! I'll take it! A box of Russell Stover's chocolates?!? Yep, that's me! The brick and mortar location is sort of dingy looking, but it's clean. There are drinks and snacks for you after you donate. Take advantage and have some to ward off any lightheadedness. The phlebotomists here know what they're doing, so follow their instructions if you're a first time donor. They won't steer you wrong. I feel like I'm giving back when I make my donation and always hope that if i, or my family is in the situation to need blood that it will be available. Bravo to these folks for doing what they do and helping out the community.

Looking to make an extra $200 a month and have lots of free time? Come on down to Octapharma and…read moresell...err....DONATE your plasma. I just finished my first plasma donation. Here's how it went: The first donation was said to take 2 hours. I sat down in the waiting room with several forms of ID and a piece of mail to as proof of residency. After a short wait, I was called back to answer questions about my medical history (Have you had sex with anybody from a variety of Central African nations?). Then they took my vitals, drew a tiny bit of blood, and made sure I had adequate levels of iron & antibodies. My pulse barely made the cut (100 bpm) because I was pretty apprehensive. Then came more waiting. Next was the least comprehensive physical I have ever received. No doctor was involved, just two medical techs. No urinalysis, no dropping trou. I didn't even have to take my shirt off. They did examine my limbs at great length for "wounds," which is med tech for drug injection sites. I was told to arrive having eaten a hearty meal, so I ate at 10:30 AM and got there by 11:30. At this point, it was 2:30 PM, so they made me leave and return with a full stomach. After a quick BBQ break at Corkys (gross... review forthcoming), it was donation time. Before I was taken to the group donation room, they told me that cell phones interfere with the plasmapheresis process. Some shit about how it affects the anticoagulant. They threw out some big sciencey words and expected me to agree. Instead, I laughed out loud and asked if they were serious. There is absolutely no way that cell phones affect the machines. I have to assume they do this for the same reason that airlines try to convince you that phones will cause the plane to crash: people yakking on their phones in close quarters is annoying. In the donation room, there were signs that claimed a phone even in airplane mode would cause interference, but laptops, iPods, and radios were OK. Needless to say I used my iPhone the entire time without issue. The actual donation process took 45 minutes. And while the needle is pretty darn big, the most painful part was removing the paper tape from my hairy arms after the donation was over. Overall, I feel a little dehydrated, but not any more than after a day at Jazzfest. The whole first visit experience took four hours, but future donations only take about 90 minutes. If you were going to be sitting on your ass anyway, you might as well get paid to do it and save some lives at the same time. FDA regulations limit donations to twice a week & Octapharma pays $20 for the first visit and $30 for the second visit in a given week. That's $200 a month for 12 hours of "work." Not a bad deal at all.

Awful business. I moved from Little Rock, AR to Mandeville, La. I was told by an Octapharma…read moreemployee that Mandeville was in their area and I would be able to keep donating at this location. My files were transferred from LR to this location. The very first time I went to donate, I brought my lease as proof of residence. The lady accepted my lease and put my info into the computer but I was told I needed my Social Security Card as well. I returned 3 days later with my card, but was told I wasn't allowed to donate because my address was "restricted". Nobody would explain to me what this means. I live in an apartment complex in Mandeville. Nobody would offer me an explanation as to why I couldn't donate because of my address even though it was in their area. I attempted to contact Octapharma at the number listed on their website and I have left 8 messages. 8. Not a single call has been returned. The staff at this location are also EXTREMELY rude and unbelievably slow helping anyone. The very first time I went to transfer my info I literally waited for over an hour and a half sitting in their "waiting area" to be helped.

I just donated at the Ochsner main campus and the experience was painless - well except for a minor…read moreneedle stick. The ladies here were welcoming and got me in and out in a very reasonable amount of time. Their blood supply is short right now and the need is great. Please consider donating if you're able and feel comfortable being out and about during COVID. They were super hygienic and I felt safe being there. Everyone was masked, gloved, and there was an ample supply of hand sanitizer. And the swag is nothing to scoff at - a voucher for a 10-12 pound frozen turkey from Rouses and a v-neck t-shirt with an awesome local design. They had masks and crew neck tees as well.

Ochsner Blood Center Jefferson Hwy Location Great…read moreprofessionals, friendly, efficient, and accommodating Relaxing, comfortable environment

I really hope that your operation Praises their associates that do their job well and genuinely…read morecare about the donors. Today, I would like to recognize the 3 individuals that I had the pleasure of coming in contact with on my visit. I want to Thank each of them, and hope that they get recognized in front of their peers. 1st- The nurse, very polite kind and considerate, I wish I had gotten her name. Thank you 2nd- THE Vitals check in associates (I can't recall her name) she was in booth #2. Very friendly, caring and compassionate about her profession. Thank you And they say that you save the BEST for Last. 3rd- Ms. Bri, my phlebotomy technician. One of the Kindest, Caring, Genuine, Knowledgeable and Compassionate staff member that I have had the pleasure to meet today. Although I was unable to donate due to my veins, she absolutely made me feel awesome. Bri, I personally want to thank you for not making me feel like just a number or another donor, you made me feel like a person, a friend, a human being. Thank you so much for your sincere kindness. I appreciate you for that. Please recognize each of these staff members.

The good is in helping someone and getting paid for it. The bad is a few bad people that work…read morethere. It's just 3 phlebotomist. They are very unprofessional, I referred to them as the Three Stooges.

I have been donating blood to these guys for years. The Blood Center is a great company and the…read moreSlidell Center has always had a good staff. Competent and friendly. They have moved a couple of times. This location is the latest and greatest. It is kind of hidden out of the way on a little cul-de-sac but there is a sign in front. The parking lot is small and tight so squeezing a big SUV in there could be problematic. The staff are cheerful and caring. Giving blood is never a painless process, but they do a very good job of making it easy. Most times when you donate they'll give you a t-shirt. They have a decent assortment of juice and snacks to boost your energy back up after you donate. I have given blood to other organizations at various blood drives and bloodmobiles and the Blood Center is the one I return to for my regular donations.

I have never got in and out in under 3 hours usually take 3 to 4 hours . Once I was here 5 hours …read more They close without any notifications. I drive 40 miles to donate only to find the door locked after calling before I leave the house. The line is always 5 miles long with one person checking in new donors and returning donors. I have fallen below my $60 donation because I am I am unable to donate as frequently because of them closing early or opening late. So therefore I am driving 40 miles for $40 dollars . Just crazy

I've been a donor over 20 years. The bad comments I have read is unbelievable to me, everyone have…read moretheir own opinions. every staff I encounter through the years with, has always been very nice and friendly, yes the line can be a long wait, if you have no patience it's best not to try to donate, to keep your protein up you have to eat high protein the day before you donate and drink plenty water.

Sit on down for a good cause. The Blood Center is just what you would expect, a place that takes…read moreyour blood, plasma, or platelets for people in need. If that is not enough to get you in, there also give you free cholesterol screenings, blood pressure tests, and t-shirts.

I got as far as the office staff, who were as knowledgeable as they can be seeing as their…read morecorporate offices aren't providing them with all the information they need to be even more effective at their jobs. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Even when it was realized that the New Donor website wasn't working, I was able to reschedule for the next day.

Great customer service, speedy check in , clean and fragrant atmosphere, and donation pay is…read moredecent !