I’m guessing most of you have a healthcare story you could tell. Good or bad… about you or a loved one. Heck, y’all probably have more than one healthcare story — I know I do.
Stop here if you’re not interested in the details of my current plight and come back tomorrow. 🙂
- In 2013, I had spinal surgery at OrthoIndy. My experience was great. It was so great I’ve referred many people there including both of those pesky neighbors.
- My current OrthoIndy experience has me questioning a whole lot of stuff — and none of it is good.
A Mini Cooper to drive doesn’t help the situation either…
What comes first?
Once checked in, I was weighed, directed to put on my paper shorts, and was x-rayed. Once that was done, I saw the NP. Wouldn’t you think the exam would come first so they’d know what to x-ray? Nope. I was prescribed prednisone and a muscle relaxer and told to do nothing for a week. I was given a physical therapy order and was told if I was better in a week I should schedule PT, and if not, I should call back to schedule an MRI.
One week later, I called and left a message with “the team” at OrthoIndy saying that I wasn’t better and would like a call-back insofar as next steps. What I got was a text message that I had a prescription to review. Meloxicam was added but I got no call-back.
The portal…
They have a patient portal where you SHOULD be able to find your x-rays. You can also read the notes and patient instructions there written by the person you saw for treatment.
Imagine my surprise when I read that…
- We reviewed my images (I didn’t see my x-rays nor were they discussed — and they were not on the portal).
- I read that my pain became worse upon carrying 5-gallon buckets. (I’ve never in my life carried a 5-gallon bucket.)
- My BP was 146/85. (My BP was NOT taken.)
Still left hanging.
After another week — while taking the Meloxicam — I called again and asked for a call-back. I just wanted clarification (PT or MRI). I was on another call when I finally DID get a call back so they left a message. I was told my insurance wouldn’t pay for an MRI until PT was completed and there was nothing they could do for me until those 6 weeks were complete.
I scheduled a PT assessment and was given an exam that was a TON more involved than the one I got at OrthoIndy. She thinks it’s my hip and not my back.
Crazy, right?
The Therapist is going to see me 3 times a week for 2 weeks and if I’m not better, she’s going to kick me back to OrthoIndy or another orthopedic specialist. That sounds like a reasonable plan to me and I’m still hoping for the best. If nothing else, I have another healthcare story in my book of medical experiences. 🙂
Have you had anything similar happen to you or a loved one? (Good grief… I hope not.)
Now you know: Physician Assistants (PAs) generally complete more hours of direct clinical training during their formal schooling. However, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) require more years of total education because they must first become Registered Nurses (RNs) before pursuing an advanced degree