Last night I had a nosebleed that lasted for three hours! Three hours! So much blood from one nostril that it was overflowing from the other. The last time I had a nosebleed, I went to the hospital via ambulance, and since I wasn't having a heart attack, or something equally emergency, I was put on the wait list, and wouldn't you know, the minute the doctor walked into the exam room, the bleeding stopped. I figured the same thing this time, so I waited out the nosebleed. But three hours?
I finally got to bed this morning at 3:00 o'clock. I think I was asleep by the time my head hit the pillow.
Anyway, I have an appointment with someone--my doctor is out of town--on Wednesday, and the nosebleeds and bruising and the warfarin dosage are going to be discussed.
I finished the last dosage order for the warfarin, and went to get blood drawn today to see what the numbers are, so the doctor can evaluate whether or not the medication level is OK. This is where the "Doesn't anybody think?" come in.
The phlebotomist said the standing order had expired, and he couldn't do anything without a new order. So he called the doctor's office and was told that a new order would be sent by fax immediately. He gave her this lab's fax number. After 25 minutes, and no fax, I called the office. The office nurse said she would send it, immediately. Hmm?
After another ten minutes, I called back, tried to explain that there were two other labs with similar addresses, but different phone numbers. She told me again that she was using the fax number and not the address, and was sending the fax right now. The office person motioned for me to hand her my phone and she asked what fax number was being used. Turns out she was sending the faxes to a lab up I-80 about 50 miles away. With a different area code.
Now here's where my question comes into play: If you got two phone calls asking "Where is it?" would you stop to wonder if maybe you had been using a wrong fax number? I think she didn't even write down the number, the phlebotomist gave her, and just went ahead and sent it off to whatever number came up on her screen. There are perhaps a dozen Qwest laboratories in this immediate area. Even after the third phone call the twit didn't wonder why the faxes weren't being received by the ones who needed the order. And kept saying she was sending it right now. Not "again," but "right now." Once dim-bulb got fed the right number, again, the fax came in within five minutes. Now that I'm typing this, I recall that this wrong fax number happened before.
I've been considering finding another doctor, especially one closer to home, and now, after I raise hell on Wednesday, I'll be actively searching for another doctor. If I can't find the list of practicioners for my particular HMO, I'll be sending an express e-mail to the HMO for the list. I. Have. Had. It. With. That. Office!!
I spent an hour and a half for a visit that should have taken 20 minutes tops. Even with a bunch of people waiting their turn. *shakes head*
Bless