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
=
