Diabetes Forum banner
  • Welcome! Are you ready to join the discussions? Click here!

Really disappointed

4K views 28 replies 12 participants last post by  Shanny 
#1 ·
I arrived at my Primary Care doctor office this morning for a 12 hr fasting lab appointment, only to be told by the lab tech that "I have no orders for lab work to be done for you." So I left and I'm really disappointed. I had the appointment card at home that indicated fasting lab work to be done this morning. Apparently someone did not do their job right!
 
#3 ·
This happened to me, also. Just a couple weeks ago.

But they didn't admit that there were no lab orders in my chart. Took my blood and sent me on my way. Got a call several days later saying that they needed more blood for a test that got skipped. I found out that the only thing they tested was my A1C - nothing else! And this was for a yearly physical!

I was hopping mad. I had purposely scheduled the lab work to be done a week prior to my appointment so I cound discuss them with my doctor, but instead, I had to go to the appointment fasting and then, of course, there was nothing to talk about. A major waste of time! Now if I want to discuss anything I can't talk to the dr, but must send messaes through her nurse. (Actually, I'm looking for another doctor - this was the last straw!)
 
#8 ·
Boy, do I hear you. I would be mad too. Like you, I had scheduled this lab work prior to my Endo appt so we could discuss it. Now, not only did I waste my time, but the gas that went into my car too. My car is old and isn't fuel efficient, but has only 70,000 miles on it, so I plan on driving it a while longer. VeeJay - did you have to take off work as well?
 
#5 ·
My day gets better (or worse) as the day wears on. The nurse from my PCP office called and wanted the number of the Endo office where I go so she could help straighten out this situation. Then ... a few hours later the nurse from the Endo office called with news that they had a cancellation for tomorrow if I wanted that appt.? In talking with the Endo's nurse I asked her "why do I have to do the 12 hr fasting when I don't intend to take a statin drug"? Her reply was the typical bs........"the higher your cholesterol the greater your risk of stroke or heart attack". As if I didn't already know that? After talking with these people I feel like an idiot!!! I already know I'm not smart, why don't they just leave me alone?:confused:
 
#6 ·
I've been in this situation too, Strawberry, but bless my lab tech, she just starting filling up vials and got enough blood for whatever they could possibly order, since I could give her a pretty good idea of the tests required.

Such total disregard for the patient just makes my blood boil! And I know you ARE smart, so there!
 
#9 ·
Shanny, you best hang onto the lab tech (vampire) you have because he/she is smarter than the average bear. Today I definitely don't feel smart. If I had said what was on my mind at the lab appt this morning, I probably would have been ordered to leave the bldg asap.

Because they don't have a good answer for when patients refuse a medication that they've been taught is good. Just like the babble they give for "low fat".

It's all rote and they have no logical explanation or reasoning capabilities.

Sent from my iPhone
David, I can't say for sure about doctors in the US, but I believe someone once posted a thread on a forum in the UK that said doctors there are given a bonus for every statin prescription they write.

While I haven't had the success that some of the people here on the forum have had with LCHF, I do know I feel better. Haven't lost a lot of weight, but I'm working on it. It grieves me when health professionals 'shoot us' down every chance they get. In our grocery store, they sell only one brand of Greek yogurt that isn't low-fat. By mistake last week, I bought several of the low-fat yogurt and consumed one. Geez........did my blood sugar ever go high.

Thank you all for your kind words, it helps a lot on a day like today.
 
#11 ·
I am very lucky. My lab is at my local hospital. My doc writes the orders for the next appt while I am there and I can drop in when I want. Orders are in my hand when I leave the office. They just let me know if I have to fast. I'm lucky that I can go in any day except Sunday. Wish you all had it that easy :/

Sent from my iPhone using Diabetes
 
#12 ·
Same here, Marsha . . . our doc's medical complex has their own lab, and now that they have their EMR up & running, our doc or the nurse writes all the orders for the next appointment, and it's issued electronically. My anecdote above is from a coupla years ago. In theory the lab can get our results back within 30 minutes or an hour.
 
#13 ·
Shanny said:
Same here, Marsha . . . our doc's medical complex has their own lab, and now that they have their EMR up & running, our doc or the nurse writes all the orders for the next appointment, and it's issued electronically. My anecdote above is from a coupla years ago. In theory the lab can get our results back within 30 minutes or an hour.
That's awesome. Mines not electronic. That would be cool. Everything else is though :/ just glad they're in my hands when I leave. Now watch me lose'em between now and November ;)

Sent from my iPhone using Diabetes
 
#15 · (Edited)
Man, I relate to this. I have a good endo but one of their d. educators has an attitude problem. Lucky me, I get stuck dealing with her often, the others Ive dealt with are fine. Apparently I get on her nerves for watching my t1 D too closely. She gave me attitude for calling in for advice two days after a dosage adjustment and no real improvement in my BG levels, she wanted me to wait a week to call in and I was running in the 2 and 3 hundreds already. Shes had an attitude ever since. I now make alot of my own adjustments successfully without calling it in, they arent crazy about that either. The frustrating part is, she is polite in her words but has a "frustrated tone" and never has screwed up like the original posters doc has, makes it hard to complain to her boss.
 
#16 ·
I was on the pump for more than 4 years w/o an Endo, and when I did go to one - he seemed surprised that I had the nerve to do my own 'adjustments'. Like you, I've run into CDE in my Endo's office that definitely have attitude. One of these days I'm going to tell her I don't appreciate her attitude. Sometimes I don't think the Endo has any idea of what his co-workers are telling his patients.
 
#18 ·
I also watched my Dad die from complications of Diabetes. His doctor, unfortunately never gave him the information he really needed. If he was still alive today you can bet I would be in his face until he got better control. I'm sorry about your G-father and Dad. That is not easy to watch.
 
#19 ·
My CDE and the dieticians are housed in their own office at our local hospital. Saw the dietician once after my T1 diagnosis. Didn't need or want a follow up appt. Saw the CDE several times for pump training. Finished with her in May. She has encouraged me to attend their Diabetes and Pump support groups, but I declined. I think she got right away that I'm a do it/figure it out myself kinda girl. So other than seeing my Endo every 3 months for diabetes and GP for BP unless I'm sick, I really don't need much contact with my Docs. Everyone is in contact with each other. Even my Gyno gets my tests results and I only see her 1 time a year. Electronic medical records are so much easier :)

Sent from my iPhone using Diabetes
 
#20 ·
Strawberry said:
I also watched my Dad die from complications of Diabetes. His doctor, unfortunately never gave him the information he really needed. If he was still alive today you can bet I would be in his face until he got better control. I'm sorry about your G-father and Dad. That is not easy to watch.
Unfortunately, same story with my dad. He finally got a referral from his pcp to go see an endo this year and is now considering a pump. Happy about this.
 
#21 ·
When I go to my endo and cardio docs (I always see them on the same day because they are in the same place at the Cleveland Clinic), before I leave the nurse always puts the orders in for my next blood work right then and there. I don't have to worry about it being in the system. I know it is. I did have that problem years ago however, and they just made me wait longer until someone was in the office at the doctors office to find out what needed to be tested. It was always the same; blood sugar and lipid panel. That's what I always told them too.

Just so you all know, it has been required by the federal government that all hospitals, facilities, doctors offices, medical and mental health professionals, etc. be compliant with electronic medical records by 2014. This is so no matter where you go the medical place, person, whatever can have access to your medical history and current records for better care when in need. Most bigger places like The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Veterans Administration Medical Facilities have all been electronic with their records for years now. It's the smaller guys (like the office I work in) that now have to become compliant. It should help eliminate the problems like what Strawberry encountered in the future.

BTW, I'd be extremely po'd if I fasted for 12 hours and went for blood work only to be told there were no orders. Somebody dropped the ball and I'd let them know it, in no uncertain terms, that is was really poor care given and a big huge waste of your time, and they should give you a free visit for the inconvenience.

Okay, rant over!
 
#22 ·
Just so you all know, it has been required by the federal government that all hospitals, facilities, doctors offices, medical and mental health professionals, etc. be compliant with electronic medical records by 2014. This is so no matter where you go the medical place, person, whatever can have access to your medical history and current records for better care when in need. Most bigger places like The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Veterans Administration Medical Facilities have all been electronic with their records for years now. It's the smaller guys (like the office I work in) that now have to become compliant. It should help eliminate the problems like what Strawberry encountered in the future.
I was not aware of this, Renee, but it makes me happy.

Oddly enough, it's backwards for us personally - our own doc spearheaded the drive to build our new medical complex and insisted on complete wiring for EMR. Now when we visit the University of Missouri clinics for our eye care, those guys are the ones who seem to be living in the dark ages! I'm sure that getting them switched over is a major ordeal, but they better kick it in gear, or they'll never make the deadline! :rolleyes:

Have I ever told you how much we benefit from you & your knowledge of medical billing, etc.? Well I'm telling you now! :hug:
 
#27 ·
Yes probably Marsha. Everything is computerized and electronic. Your doctor doesn't even necessarily have to sign a prescription anymore or a progress note in your file. They just use an electronic signature. It's really amazing.
 
#25 ·
guess I should feel lucky. Before medicare I went to alow cost.free clinic. it was ok. well not really lol

then when I got my certificate for being old I went right quick to a endo doc. I wasn't thrilled with him but he did a complete exam. I even had a bone scan.He was a MUSC (medical Univer SC) Doc & teacher. when he moved on I was refered to another MUSC doc.

now she & her office give me the works . everything is computerized. they call for for any updates appts etc. I don't have to carry any scripts.
they are right on the dot when I go in. I mean if I am 2min late they tell me.lol I hardly have time to sit & read a mag lol

they take urine, blood test aic, weigh/blood p, go over any meds old or new, how am i am doing bla bla. then doc comes in . checks my feet,listens to my heart. goes over my aic/lipids that she orders every 3 months. the whole is done in maybe 15 minutes. they print out my meds chart aic lipids next appt sheet. out I go.
Plus they have all the records & meds from my other docs On the MUSC offices.
CDE are nice but for the most part I just nod & agree with her then leave lol.
 
#28 ·
I had my GP send a Standing Prescription for my blood work. It is good for one year. When I go the local county health department they know the drill. I go two weeks before my quarterly tests and appointment. They get the results back from a hospital not far away. They fax the results to my GP and mail me a copy. By the time the appointment rolls around my GP has already written me and commented on the blood work and we discuss it when I show up for my appointment we are ready to go. Believe me it took about 9 months to get the kinks worked out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Patdart and Shanny
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top