Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hurry up and Wait


Pet Peeves is my title so I think its time to post one. I was reminded of it when I read Jim’s blog Plane Truth and he told about getting dates mixed up for a job. This is something that happened to me a few months ago. I had a doctor appointment (is there any other kind?). I got ready much too early as I usually do, so I decided I could do something else while I waited for time to leave for the appointment. I became so engrossed in what I was doing that I forgot to watch the clock.
When I finally remembered to look at the clock I knew I was going to be a little late so I took off like a speeding bullet for the doctor’s office, but it wasn’t fast enough because I was about 20 minutes late. The office girl did not take kindly to my tardiness, she said, "You stupid old lady, you are too late and we can not hold your slot open because we have other patients who arrive on time".
Well, maybe she didn’t say it exactly like that, but that is the way I remember it. Not only that, but she said, " you are a "no show" and if it happens three times you will need to find another doctor". I got that part right, that is exactly what she said and also followed it up with a letter to make it legal or something. My pet peeve is this, how many thousand times have I sat in that waiting room for 20 minutes or more waiting and I remember one time I waited in the little exam room for nearly an hour. I should have called them a "no show" and sent them a letter telling them they would just have to find a new patient if it happens three times.

7 comments:

frogglet said...

I agree!!! If we all started holding our doctors accountable to keep appointments I think they would start getting it right. Unfortunately we can't ignore our health care.

J. Baxter said...

As a fellow victim of this injustice, I have to say that idea rocks. I almost want to go back to that dentist once just so I can have the pleasure.

Jimh. said...

Wouldn't it be fun to bill them for lost time? And go in with a clip bard and a watch and write down the exact times...might not make them nervous, but it might call attention to the injustice!!

Grandma, thanks for the smile!!

Anonymous said...

This has happened to me. I sat in the little room for an hour I was so mad I got up to leave, went out in the hall and told the nurse I was leaving that I had sat in that room for an hour and I have other things to do.She said wait let me talk to the Doctor. he said dose she have time to go get some blood work done,I said no,why didn't you send me down while I was waiting. I got a new Appointment.The next time he got right in there And said he was sorry.
Sis

Diane said...

Oh, I can soooo identify with this one! I cannot begin to count the number of hours I have wasted in doctor's offices! I'll tell you this for sure, if I had taken as long to pay the bill as they took to see me, I'd be in debtor's prison by now!!!

Many hugs........

Diane

2Grandmas2 said...

Yes, many are the times this has happened to me. However, today I had to take my youngest (who is 25, lives with me, now her official guardian)(you sense a longer story here and you are correct). We were late, having left a tad late (oops) and then there was this pesky accident that they needed to close three lanes on the freeway to take care of. I expected at least an irritated glance or that they wouldn't see us, but no, it was take a seat and five minutes later they took us to the exam room. And then, the doctor came in before the nurse had time to take the history. It really happened this way, I swear it is true. :)

S2

Anonymous said...

I recently had surgery and was kept waiting for over 2 hours for my pre-op appointment. I voiced my displeasure to the doctor and was told that if it bothered me that much, I needed to find a new doctor....unfortunately, I needed the surgery then and his office was the only one in my city that my insurance used.....