Saturday, May 10, 2008

Clinic From Hell




I had an interesting experience last week. I had a sinus infection several weeks ago. I had to beg, borrow, and steal to get a z-pack because I don't have a family practice doc. I decided it was time to address this problem. I got advice from a few friends before making an appointment with a doctor here in town who shall remain nameless. She came very highly recommended and I felt even more confident when I called her clinic and the the woman who answered the phone gushed on and on about what a wonderful doctor I was going to soon see. Unfortunately, I had to wait three weeks for an appointment. I thought this lady must really be popular!

The magic day finally arrived. I drove down to the clinic very excited to meet my new doc. The clinic looked very tidy from the outside. A well maintained red brick building with an even better parking lot. I walked in the front door, took a quick look around and wondered if I was in the right place. The guy at the front desk was cordial enough but I was still in shock at what I was seeing in the waiting area. There were so many people crammed into such a small place that I'm sure they had to breaking a fire code and of course the only place I could find to sit was next to this old guy with a bad toupee. He smelled weird and he wouldn't stop calling people on his cell phone just to bitch at them. Very annoying.

I took a deep breath and began filling out my new patient paper work. I arrived a whole fifteen minutes early to this too! I grew more and more uncomfortable as I began to actually look at the people around me. There were people in pajamas with blankets wrapped around them and the phlegm, my God the phlegm! I thought, this is a freaking urgent care and nobody bothered to mention this little detail to me. As the clock kept ticking I started toying with the idea of just leaving. I decided the to stay just a little longer though since I had to pee so bad.

The bathroom turned out to be an adventure all on it's own. Lets see, where do I start? The floor had obviously not been mopped maybe ever, the toilet seat was hanging by only one hinge which is tricky when you are a girl, the sink and everything around it made me wonder if I would expose myself to more germs by washing my hands or not washing my hands. (I gutted it up and took the chance on washing them.)

I went back out to the waiting area for a little while longer. Since my appointment was at 9:15 and it was now 10:00. I decided that they must be more comfortable taking care of people who have no appointments at all and that they were apparently making a good business of it. When I announced to the receptionist that I was unwilling to wait any longer, he informed me that mornings are always busy for them and he asked me if I would like to come back in the afternoon.

Let me think, I live in Spanish Springs and this clinic is in down town Reno. Gas is pushing $4 a gallon plus, An afternoon outing would mean that I would have to bring my currently healthy children with me to this petri dish of infection and disease. How bout NO!!

13 comments:

laura said...

i am sorry, that is horrible! but, i was laughing just thinking of you being totally disgusted in there.. i could just imagine it!!! hope you find a good doctor. we love our group, but it is in south reno... don't know if you are up for that, oh and it is connected to an urgent care, so i think it is out for you!!!

TimmyMac said...

Given the fact I have to sleep with you, I really expect you to be careful where you go . . .

Jeni said...

I think I know this place. I went there once a couple of years ago for an afternoon walk-in because they told me they didn't accept appointments. They handed out little face masks for all the people who had a cough...

I also rather like my pcp, but she is also in south reno... sorry that this was sucky for you, but I'm glad that it gave you something to blog about.

digapigmy said...

i like my pcp too. i feel invincible when i'm on it.

just wait until someone with a great universal health care plan gets it pushed through - this will be every clinic and doctor's office and hospital available.

David said...

I was going to tell you that getting rid of your kids would make you healthy as a horse, but then I thought, "What does 'healthy as a horse even mean?'"

Yet another example of why cliches should not be used. But then, is it cliche to say one shouldn't use chliches?

I think my nose just started bleeding.

RandomSue said...

Brent - all i can say is,I agree with every single thing you just said. Tee Hee

RandomSue said...

I had no idea I have been sleeping with Elijah Wood. Seriously, how did I miss this?

RandomSue said...

Oh No!!! It's even worse than I first thought. It's Frodo! Someone help me!!!!!

Jeni said...

How do you handle all of that toe hair Frodo's got goin' on? :)

Randy said...

Sorry you had such a bad experience. Time wasters are so irritating. Hopefully you can find a remedy in the Skinny Bitch book you aren’t suppose to have :)

RandomSue said...

You might be on to something Randy!

No(dot dot)el said...

i am just glad that you blogged again. bad clinics , let me count the ways that i hate thee,
the wait
the smell
the sounds
reminds me of working for the hospital for the pysch and detox dept.
sorry bout that. good thing you didn't wait any longer. maybe people like this doctor so much cause they are just so happy to finally get out of the waiting room and in to see her.

Debi said...

my favorite part about reading your blogs is i can hear your voice in them! :D i miss my sue....i love you!