“How do I manage a donating plasma accident?”
While donating plasma 02/29/2020 at a plasma center near then end of the plasmapheresis process, a bottle of plasma 1 " from full and blood bottle full in the centrifugal machine began to screech extremely load and smoke began to bellow up from the machine. Phlebotomist staff came to the machine and were unable to shut it down with a red shutdown button, the machine still screaming and smoke and burning smell still going strong, unit still transferring fluids. Another staff member pulled the power cord and it shut down. This incident lasted 2 minutes or more before pulling the power cord. I felt a burning pain from the elbow through hand and up to the shoulder. I am a 63 y.o. male 235 lbs. They gave me a small bottle of power aid and kept me in the chair for 10 minutes and sent me home. I have been completely exhausted and arm still tingling and burning, but less than just after. What are possible risks involved...they mentioned metal shaving in blood.
Male | 63 years old
Complaint duration: 6 days
Medications: losarton, moloxicam, low dose zolft.
Conditions: high blood pressure psoriasis
1 Answer
I am an endocrinologist, not a hematologist. I have never heard of this before, but any machine can go bad at times. If the machine was shaving off metal particles, they could have gotten in the blood. They would have been excreted by the kidney, though they could cause kidney damage. I would check with a kidney Dr. & have your kidneys checked. Other than that, little damage would be done & since symptoms are gone, I wouldn't do anything except find a different plasmapheresis center next time. If there is found to be any permanent damage especially to the kidneys, then I'd see a lawyer.
