The Laughing Wolf

Well, I Am Stressed By St. Elizabeth's

And considerably underwhelmed with the hospital and service providers for my stress test. If the intent is to stress me, I am there.

Let's go back to the set-up for this. I go in for the first part of my physical with the new doctor, and we agree that a stress test would be good. Her office arranges it, but has some problems getting the cardiac lab at a hospital in Lafayette to get back to them. They call me, and tell me that the test will be at X:XX and to be at the reception desk for the hospital 30 minutes before then for paperwork and prep. Okay, done.

Well, not quite. I received multiple calls on my mobile from said hospital wanting to "pre-register" me. Despite the fact that I am already in their system from the ER visit with "fidel." Despite the fact my doctor's office was said to have already faxed over info and insurance info. Despite the fact that I very nicely pointed out that it was a mobile and to please call me at a different number and at an agreed upon time. That call never happened. Oh, and never a message -- I missed the first call or two and called back to find out why the missed call. Found out the institution, never could get anyone in that department to answer. I finally pulled the car over the last time yet another different person called and went through everything I could under the circumstances. I was told all was golden and that I did not have to show up at the 30-minutes-early time but at the scheduled time.

So I show up today at the 30-minutes-early time anyway figuring better safe than sorry. I check in with reception and am told to wait. I wait. At almost the time for my appointment, I am called into registration. To register. A check reveals that I am already in the system, and I take a minute to supply copies of some legal paperwork while I am there. Not that I have any hope they will find it at this point, but... Okay, go on back.

The lab is something of a madhouse and I am told I will be processed shortly. Reasonably quickly I am given standard paperwork, and initial and sign, and turn it in. About 30 minutes later a young man comes up and starts in on a "what time where you told to be here" thing with a strong implication that I had been late and because of that the test would have to be re-scheduled because of that fact thank-you-very-much. I am firm but surprisingly nice when I point out that I arrived ahead of the 30-minute-early time I had been given, that I had been in the lab at the time I had been given initially, and implied equally that I was not happy and unimpressed. I also pointed out that I was having to take time off of work, and that re-scheduling was not really a valid option on my list. I did not quite pull a Tammi and use "Here is what I need you to do" but it was close. He admits that up front had dropped the ball, and he would see what he could do but the doctor was back in his office and very busy (and important, etc. by implication). I told him firmly that as I was already taking time off, that I would wait as taking yet more time off was not convenient for me, thank-you-very-much-I'm-important-too.

A while later he returns. The doc can't do it, but another doctor (partner?) will. In a few hours. I am told in a condescending manner that is okay to eat a light breakfast, but only very light (served with some attitude?). I respond that I had already done so at 0430, and that (since it was such an issue) I would wait. Among the more interesting things I note is that I was never told at any time by the lab, the doctor, or the hospital anything about eating or not eating. Just that having done this before I know not to eat a lot. Small bit of oatmeal and only one cup of coffee. Not good, and I am really looking forward to a real lunch as the two cookies I ate as I drove away are not going to get it.

No, not a happy camper. Extremely disappointed so far. If it really was not needed, I would be telling people where to put the test. It is needed, so I will deal though I may end up reminding some that they are service providers, not gods, and that the service so far sucks.

LW