When it comes to doctors I'm pretty easy-going. I figure they have put a lot of money and time in learning their trade. Same for nurses. I know there are bad ones, but on the whole most are very good at their jobs.
But that can't always be said about their receptionists. Yesterday I had to take Indiana B to an ear specialist. The appointment was actually set up by his regular pediatrician. I called the pediatrician’s office for better directions than my daughter left me with. They explained that the sign was hidden by trees, so gave me directions with visual aids as far as they could possibly do so.
I leave at 11 a.m. for a 12 noon appointment. Stop for gas (what, maybe 5 minutes), drive across the bridge and through the tourist trap town (another 25-30 minutes). I get to Airport Road and, trying to drive as slowly as possible, start looking for the office.
Finally I found an emergency care center. You do not want to go to the emergency care center in this town, no matter how sick you are. Apparently I went in the back entrance, but I walked through the entire center and saw No One.
Back out to the car to call the clinic.
ww: Hello. Thank you for calling WW, I’m Brandy. How can I help you?
me: I have an appointment at noon for my grandson. I am at the Emergency Care Center on Airport Road. Where are you located at?
Ww: We are located on Airport Road.
Me: Where at on Airport Road?
Ww: What is the patient’s name?
Me: Indiana B, but I just need directions.
Ww: Please hold.
Me fuming, not only am I not getting the directions, it is nearly 100 degrees out.
Ww: I’m sorry what doctor did you say you had an appointment with?
Me: I didn’t say, I don’t know. I just need directions.
Ww: I can’t seem to locate your appointment.
Me: We can work that out when we get there, please just tell me where you are located?
Ww: We’re on Airport Road.
Me: Yes, on Airport Road, I’m on Airport Road, I just need to know where on Airport Road from the Emergency Care Center.
Ww: Oh you have an appointment at noon. You have plenty of time to get here.
Me: Not if I can’t find it. All I need is directions to your clinic.
Ww: We are Airport Road.
Me: Brandy, I am on Airport Road, I am at the Emergency Care Center back door. How do I get to your clinic from there?
Ww: We are next door.
The woman should have been shot. But it doesn’t end there.
I get to the clinic and check in. I ask which list I need to sign and this receptionist (which I believe is not Brandy as it appears she just got there) points to a clipboard for pediatrics. I get ready to put down Indiana’s name and then she wants to know what doctor we are seeing.
Me: I don’t know. The appointment was scheduled through the BBWW.
Ww: Okay sign the list.
Again I start to put down Indiana’s name. And am stopped again.
Ww: I can’t find his appointment.
Me: Here is the card BBWW gave me.
Ww: Oh, that’s for Dr. G. You need to sign in down there (as she points clear across the room).
I sprint across the room to sign in. But the sign in sheet isn’t for Dr. G, but for Dr. C. I’m confused, but not going to argue the point now. Sprint back to the other end to see if she needs the insurance card. She shushs me, she might be on the phone, but I can't tell. So I decide to just take the kids in to the well kids wait room. And we wait…. And we wait…. And we wait. Finally at a quarter to 1 (it has now been nearly two hours since I left my house) this receptionist of no name waves me back to her desk when she catches my eye (she did not get up from her desk and come to me).
Me: Yes
Ww: Dr. G isn’t going to be back until 2 would you like to take the kids for lunch and come back then? Or I can reschedule
Me: (Thinking: Drive another ½ hour back; feed them lunch; drive another ½ back to the clinic and Indiana hasn’t had a nap yet). No, I would like to reschedule.
Ww: (pulling out appointment book.) When would you
Me: Actually I’m going to let my daughter reschedule. She can bring him in next time, because I’m not coming back.
By the time we got home Indiana was asleep and Princess ate 2 hot dogs because she was starving and I was looking for the liquor cabinet.
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5 comments:
Aaaaagggghhh! The stupidity of some people!
Even though I heard this yesterday, I still have to laugh when I read it. I can't believe this really happened... should have been on a comedy show.
I felt as if I were in an Abbott and Costello comedy sketch.
And you think I tell funny stories??? I had to interrupt hubby's TV program to read this to him. I was laughing so hard he could hardly understand me! He said he would have gone to the receptionist when he got there and ripped her throat out! lol
Are you sure you weren't in some whacked out Twilight Zone Monty Python sketch?
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