Obstructionism and the Medical Profession
There is the bitchiest, most thick-headed beeyatch who answers the phones at my endocrinologist’s office. She is consistently assholish and deliberately obtuse, today being no exception.
Issue #1 : I had a situation this spring in which I had gone for some diagnostic testing and no one told me beforehand that one of my medications is contra-indicated in combination with the medication they use in the test, since the combo can cause kidney failure. I understand how the error happened, since Dr. 1 prescribes me the medication and Dr. 2 sent me for the test at Facility 3. But it’s still annoying because I filled out all kinds of paperwork at Dr. 2’s office, informing him of my medications/dosages, so what’s the point of that if they’re going to send me for testing without reading it? Tiresome. Anyway, I got to the place for the testing and in BIG letters the paperwork there asks if I take this medication, and when I tell them I do they say that I can still do the testing, but have to stop the medication and not start it again until 48 hours later AND I have bloodwork to make sure my kidneys are still functioning. Nice. So anyway, after the test is over I call Dr. 1’s office and explain to them what happened, wanting to double-check about the instructions and have them add kidney function testing to the bloodwork requisition I already had for that week. Also, I had been painstakingly working my way up to a full dosage of this medication for weeks, and I was worried about stopping it for 48 hours, what that would do to me (most likely make me really ill.) The phone call proceeded as follows:
Me: I had <x> test done, and I take <z> medication, I understand that now I have to have some bloodwork done?
Beeyatch Nurse: You can’t take that medication and have that test done. You have to stop taking the medication.
Me: I know, but now I need to have bloodwork done?
BN: Why did you have that test done, when you’re on that medication?
Me: Another doctor sent me for the testing.
BN: Well, then he should have told you that you couldn’t do that.
Me: Well he didn’t.
BN: You can’t take that medication and have that testing. That doctor was supposed to tell you that.
Me: Well he didn’t
BN: Well he should have.
Me: OK, well regardless of what he should have done, I have now HAD the test. What do I do?
BN: You need to have bloodwork done, and stop your medication until the results are back.
Me:…. (isn’t that what I just started out saying?) OK, well can you send me a thing for new bloodwork? I have to have some done Friday anyway, so I will just add this in.
BN: It’s too late to send it out! It will never get there in time!
Me: OK, so can we adapt the requisition that I have now to add in the new test?
BN: Normally we don’t do that.
Me: Can we do that this time, though?
BN: Well I suppose so. But normally we don’t do that.
I mean, FFS, she’s obviously one of those people who takes delight in the drama caused by being obstructionist. I hate that trait in people. People who freak out over what should have happened or what might happen, rather than dealing with what IS happening.
OK, so Issue #2, today. I have to go for (you guessed it) bloodwork this week. Since I have been having these absolutely ridiculous female issues, I decided I wanted to have my current level of iron tested too, to see if I need a supplement. So I called and get BN on the phone. Now I need to note that they answered the phone and immediately put me on hold for 9 minutes and 50 seconds too. So it’s already irritating. Finally she answers again.
Me: I am a patient of Dr. 1, and I have to have bloodwork done this week. I want to also have my iron level checked. Can you send me a new requisition which includes my iron level?
BN: You’re having bloodwork done already?
Me: Yes, but it doesn’t include iron levels, and I want those tested too.
BN: Did the doctor want your iron tested?
Me: No, he didn’t ask for it, but I want it tested and I thought since I was going to have bloodwork done I would just combine it, rather than going twice to have blood drawn.
BN: Well, I can’t just send out a new requisition form, I have to check with the doctor.
Me: I assumed you would need to check with the doctor. That’s fine. (Thinking: was there some option I missed where I could call the doctor directly? Otherwise it’s pretty standard that I call you and you check with him, right? Isn’t that what phone-answering nurses are FOR?)
BN: Why do you want to have that checked anyway?
Me: I am at work and I prefer not to go into it, actually. The doctor will understand why I want it checked, when you talk to him.
BN: *heaves a sigh* A number at which you can be reached?
Obstructionist people who hurl up imaginary obstacles everywhere are some of the most tedious people with which to deal, seriously. Just MAKE IT WORK, people. No bitching! There’s no bitching in baseball! Just MAKE IT WORK.
/rant
Filed under: Girly Health, Health Stuff |4 Responses to “Obstructionism and the Medical Profession”
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There is a lab technician at the school where I work who is exactly the same - if you haven’t worked at the place for at least 10 years then she feels you’re not qualified and have to do what she says if you want to book equipment for practical work in the labs. Even down to the pettiness of when you needed a new red pen for marking, she had to get it for you from the locked cupboard.
Three of us who started working there together had to put up with this for a few years. Finally I had enough of it when she confronted me over something that was definitely none of her business - she was stupid enough to raise her voice at me slightly and I lost my temper. Made her cry, then she had two days off work because she was “stressed” - deputy head was involved etc and I convinced him I was in the right.
Strangely enough, I never had a problem after that but she is still the same with newer staff now. Furtunately I work in my own department now so not my problem. Just goes to show these people are everywhere.
There *was* a receptionist woman at the center where I have therapy who did this sort of thing. I say “was,” because she made the mistake of doing it to me, and now she’s past tense. MWAHAHAHA! I was trying to get my medication refilled, because I ran out before my next appointment with the medication lady. She gave me all kinds of hard time about it, she wouldn’t let me talk to my therapist or leave her a message, and bitched all over me. But FU Bitch. I have her e-mail address. So I e-mailed my therapist and said “you know, I really dont’ think this is a good way to be answering the phone when you work in mental health.” Marian took care of it. Apparently I wasn’t the first one to complain about her. My complaint was just the one that worked. LOL.
You don’t mess with my Mama, for realz.
I was just really mad because I was out of medication, and I knew I was going to have headaches and dizziness before I got any. Plus Marian totally loves me, and she’s some kind of supervisor there in addition to being a therapist. I can’t imagine what would have happened if some suicidal person had called and talked to her. The woman’s excuse was that she’s “not good on the phone.” And you took a job as a receptionist, why?