I see two Doctors at Southwest Medical and I'm not sure if I'm returning. I'm not personally invested in either Doctor even though I appreciate them personally the staff in this building is appalling.
Last week I fell and hurt both my ankle and hip. I had another issue so I scheduled two appointments with both doctors. First Doc sends me to get me ankle and hips X-rayed.
Right off I could tell Holly the tech was having a bad day and seemed completely inconvenienced by my appearance: No greeting other than Change in this room. Once in the Xray room I noticed the height of the table which usually wouldn't be an ordeal if my hip and foot were functional. High table, I commented and was told, Well it can't be lowered so you're going to have to find a way up there.
Eventually I did and she did the hip Xray but while doing my foot she dropped the heavy film case on the toes of my ailing foot! I yelled in pain, tears were running down my face when she asked (very exasperated) Did that really hurt? That was followed by an angry, I didn't mean to do that ma'am!
No apology, no questions if I was OK. Nothing but an overtly hostile attitude. I asked an employee in another room where I could report the incident and headed to the Admin. office to report the behavior. I then went to my other Doctor's office. When he entered the room he asked to see my foot. Mystified, I asked why and he explained an incident report had been filed. I took off my shoe and sock, we discovered my toe had been cut. He asked if I wanted an Xray (irony?) which I declined since I had enough radiation exposure for the day.
This was an extreme experience although many months ago I had tests for a serious concern and came home on a Friday evening to hear a phone message saying Call the office for your test results. It was a very anxious weekend. When I called on Monday I asked why they just didn't leave a message saying the test was negative and was told, Legally we can't leave a massage like that. But legally they can leave a message saying the results are back and you get to wait three days to hear the results.
Flagrant incompetence of behalf of the administrative staff. Not one smile or warm greeting in the building from the employees. It's a bizarre environment to visit, as if everyone there is chronically unhappy.
On the drive home I drove through a fast food business where I was greeted and asked how I was doing. I appreciated being asked and noted the smile of the guy handing me a sandwich through the window. I was impressed. Every other business I visited that day I was treated the same way and by friendly people. While I'm not interested nor do I have the time for a conversation with a stranger I do appreciate being acknowledged as something other than an interloper and an inconvenience.
Last comment: When I called today to talk to the supervisor at SW Med and told her I was reconsidering a return visit she told me 'Of course that is your choice' (utter indifference) and she would pass my comments along to my Doctors. I told her I speak for myself. Add trespass and boundary issues to the injury.
Pros: Great Doctors
Cons: Staff lacks skills, customer service
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