Hi
everyone,
I'll try to
keep this short. I recently broke my leg and 4th metatarsal. I didn't know
I had broken them until two or three days after it happened. My foot was
black and blue and my leg was swollen more than usual. I called my Dr. and
she fit me in that day. She saw my leg and sent me to have an x-ray and
venous doppler (blod clot test) that afternoon. I had both tests and was
released. I asked about the x-ray and was informed that since my Dr.
hadn't ordered a "wet read" the results would be sent to her in 3-5 days.
I was a bit puzzled - what if my leg was broken? I was told that the x-ray
wouldn't be read that night. The doppler was negative. I went home and
thought maybe the Dr. would hear the results if it was broken but no one
called me that night. The next day I called the Dr. on call (before the
practice opened) and it was my Dr. I left a msg on her cell about what had
happened. It was her day off that day. She never called me and again I was
puzzled but assumed that it was ok since I heard from no one. But in the
back of my mind I knew something had to be wrong for my leg to so swollen
and my foot so bruised. Next day I called as soon as the practice opened
and was put through to my Dr's nurse who told em I had a spiral fx of the
distal tibia and 4th metatarsal. I about flipped!!!!!
she put the
Dr. on the phone and I was polite but very upset. She was apologetic and
tried to blame the x-ray staff until I told her what they had told me
about her orders. She then admitted she should've ordered a "wet read" but
asssumed if it was broken they would page her anyway. I asked her about
the msg I sent her on her cell and she flat out admitted she "forgot all
about it".
Needless to
say folks I was fuming and upset. Then guess what happened next??? Dr.
said she would schedule me with an orthopod and call me back within the
hour. I got a call back from the nurse and she told me I had an appt in 5
days!!! I flipped again and the nurse said "it's only a small fx". To
which I replied that I wanted the Dr. to call me back immediately. The Dr.
was very quiet on the phone and said she would find an appt for that day,
which she did.
Folks I had
some stressful nights deciding whether to return to this Dr, or find
another one at another practice, or stay in the practice with another Dr.
who I have seen on several occasions. I decided to make an appt with the
Dr. I had seen on several occasions and request that she become my
primary. I just couldn't return to the Dr. that made not one but THREE
mistakes. So I saw the other Dr. who is "good friends" with the old Dr.
She was a bit defensive for her friend and collegue but agreed to check
with the manager to see if she can be my primary.
Two days later
I received a call from the practice manager who said that I cannot change
Dr's. It's against the practice by-laws. I was pretty upset but polite.
Why was it I who was being punished for something I did not do? I
explained that I'm a paraplegic and have been with the practice over 4
years and it's really difficult for me to change primary care Dr's for
continuity purposes. That by staying in the practice it made it much
easier for me. I like the office staff I really like the Dr. who screwed
up, but perhaps she's too busy for the complex needs I have. She insisted
that they follow practice guidelines. I begged her to speak to the Dr. who
made the mistake before she makes a decision and that perhaps this time
they could bend the rules?
She said she
would call me on Monday after speaking to my old primary. The Dr. I want
to be my new primary told me that the other Dr. said she would be
surprised if I returned to the practice at all.
After speaking
with the office manager I don't want to go back. Why would any practice do
this sort of thing ? I understand the "no compete clause" but this is a
special circumstance. The old primary's caseload is full-she's not
accepting new patients, her overflow goes to the Dr. I want to take over.
I just don't see the problem.
I need some
input !!!
Thanks,
River
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