I had an appointment today with my neurologist. I had been told that my doctor had a new office, and he was no longer at Saint Margaret’s. So I made the appointment at Monroeville Hospital, and today, my father drove me up.
First, the hospital is a nightmare to find, and when you do, the parking lot is a friggin’ maze. “Building 1” isn’t marked, and I only found it after asking the valet guy.
So I go into the suite, finally, while my dad finds a place to park. Only, to be told, when I checked into the office…
…“Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. L isn’t here on Tuesdays and Thursdays-he’s at the Saint Margaret’s office.”
What in the motherfucking hell?!?!
So I calmly (as I could be), explained what I was told, she appologizes and calls and cancels my appointment, and lets them know what happened. I asked her if there would be a rescheduling fee-at least they don’t have THAT.
What the FUCK? I could have worked today, and even if I hadn’t, I could have gone out last night with my friends, instead of telling them no, I had to hurry and catch the bus, because I had an appointment today.
I used a specialist visiting service. They were first using the hospital, then a clinic, then the hospital again. I got a call reminding me of the appointment.
Me: So it’s still at the clinic correct?
Them: No. It’s where it was last year.
Me: Then it is at the clinic.
Them: Sir. it never was at the clinic.
Me: My last appointment was at the clinic 3 months ago.
Them: No sir it’s here.
Me: Where are you calling from.
Them: The hospital.
Me: That’s what I thought. Then it isn’t were it was a year ago.
Them: It’s always been at the hospital.
Me: No, I went to the clinic for 2 years already. You know what I don’t care. Where is the appointment for tomorrow.
Welcome to Forbes hospital. The most byzantine bureaucratic hospital I’ve had the mispleasure of dealing with to date.
Not only is their parking lot a maze to navigate, but they decided that, although they’re a suburban hospital with no shortage of land, amply paved for parking, that you should still pay for the privilage of parking there. (and you can’t really walk to it from anywhere) And you should pay for said parking by buying a token. I hope you have $1s in your wallet, or you’re getting dollar coins for change, just like the post office.
Do you need bloodwork? You’ll be waiting a minimum of an hour, probably more like two.
And the HIPAA dragons have too much time on their hands. I had an ultrasound done there with my first pregnancy. It took them six weeks and three requests to get them to release the results to my health care practitioner, even though they had all the necessary paperwork/signatures.
We have to go there for our annual company physicals. I’ve learned to expect pain, and I’m not talking about the blood draw.
