Yesterday’s Medical Visit for Suspicious Tick Bite
Me: Hello, I have an appointment with Dr. Kildare, my name is John Smith.
Clerk #1: Date of Birth?
Me: July 12, 1955.
Clerk #1: (date entry….)…..Okay, Third Floor Please
Me: Hello, I have an appointment with Dr. Kildare, my name is John Smith.
Clerk #2 (on 3rd Floor): Date of Birth?
Me: July 12, 1955.
Clerk #2 (data entry…..)….okay, have a seat and the doctor will see you shortly.
Nurse: Hello John, please follow me.
I follow nurse to exam room, she takes a few vital signs, leaves.
Doctor Kildare : Hello John, looks like a suspicious tick bite, let me check some vital signs and after a brief discussion, I will writer orders for blood work and tests.
Doctor leaves room, nurse re-enters with paperwork for blood work.
Nurse: Labs on on the first floor, call this number on hall phone before entering lab waiting room.
Me: (locate phone in hallway on first floor near lab) Hello, I have orders for blood work.
Clerk #3 Name and Date of Birth and name of doctor ordering work.
Me: yadda yadda yadda
Clerk #3: OK, please see front desk at lab.
Me Hello, I am her for blood work, my name is John Smith
Clerk #4: Date of birth?
Me: yadda yadda yadda
Clerk #4: (data entry)……..okay, please have a seat.
Phlebotomy technician: John?
Me: Yup, thanks.
Phlebotomy technician: Name and date of birth?
Me: Yadda Yadda Yadda
Phlebotomy technician takes blood and I walk out the door of the facility
I’ve got no beef with the doctor, the nurse, the phlebotomy technician…..but did I really need to have an exchange with four clerks, more clerks than medical people….no wonder our health care is expensive.
Indeed.
Similarly, each time you see a different specialist you’ll be asked for you medical history and for your prescription list. Each office dutifully writes down the answer.
The doctor already has your insurance information. Your insurance company knows exactly what prescriptions you’re taking. They know EVERY medication you’ve ever taken and whether you’ve ever had an adverse reaction to any of them. Yet one of the clerks in your new doctor will carefully ask if you’re allergic to any medications.
It is truly absurd — and absurdly expensive.