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NewslettersBeaufort Memorial, their Doctors and just plain broken. For the ones that have forgotten the oath for greed.
I know this is not a new subject but... I know this Doc can read and does.
In the last month and a half I have seen a heart attack patient given a blood thickener and rushed to Savannah for them to fix it and a DNR ( Do Not Resuscitate) put on a ventilator. So I was very reluctant to go to BMH with my problem this weekend. I went anyway with all eyes open. You see, I hurt my back on Friday. Well more than hurt it. Something popped while moving stuff around. I waited til Saturday morning to go to the hospital because I didn't think I had hurt myself that bad. After waiting for just a few minutes to see the ER Doctor I thought maybe this would be an O.K. trip. When they had me in X-Ray within thirty minutes I was elated. I made the phone call to my ride home thinking I would be done soon. Thirty minutes later, with no word to me at all, a tech came in and proceeded to wheel my bed out the room. When I asked what was going on he told me a CAT scan. RED FLAGS! Mind ya'll I was in a lot of pain. So I suffer through that and go back to the ER. My ride is waiting in my stall when I get there. Hour later and a ton of pain from the jerking around my ride goes to see what is going on. Long and short here is that it took the EXPERT almost three hours to read the e-rays and CAT scan and determine that I had a compound fracture in my L1 vertebrae. NICE. I get my papers and script for pain and a referral paper (same office as the Doc that took so long) and leave. I call the Doctor's office as directed on Monday morning for an appt. and got told that she had to wait on the records and would call me. I call again today. Same crap. I went to BMH and got my records. Took five minutes to get. WOW five minutes.
Now if you don't know me, I am a single mother of four kids. Every minute that I have to lay still is time out of my kids lives. A field trip that they can't take. A birthday party that they don't want to go to because I can't buy a gift. I was sent out of that hospital with no back brace and told to take it easy. And to have the Doctors office give me the common bull crap that a creditor gets infuriated me. Just because my file says no insurance does not mean that I should be put aside. I went to a different Doctor today with my records. And was seen right then and fitted for a back brace within the hour. Sad that I had to go to Savannah for this when we have SO MANY Doctors here. Get a little richer guys. Then you can afford to move from our town!!!
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It steams me to hear people blast medical care when they have few dealings with it beyond a one-time event and alot of negative hear-say. Sounds to me like
A. You were cared for efficiently in an ER that is notorious for it's large number of "frequent-flyers" mixed in with extremely ill/critical care/trauma pt's.
B. You received appropriate diagnostic care and treatment.
C. You expected to be "in and out" like it was a trip to Burger King.
D. You are blissfully unaware of the huge number of patients that get treated by
Beaufort's physicians without any idea whether they will receive a penny in return.
Also, did you know that when a patient HAS (ie PAYS FOR) insurance, many times they wait longer for care because they must wait for pre-approval by their insurance carrier? meanwhile, the self-pay and Medicaid patients waltz in and waltz out with whatever they came for.
I'm sorry you feel that your children suffered for the time you spent getting care. But ultimately, you DID get appropriate care from the sounds of it. It is not the fault of the institution or it's workers that you were injured.
I can't comment on this person's care because I wasn't there. However letters "A" and "D" should not be concerns of the patient who is paying and not receiving a discount for less service than he or she should expect for the fee. It's similar to going into a high priced restaurant and having to tolerate poor service from a staff that has problems for one reason or another.
If physicians/hospitals cannot provide the premium services, they shouldn't be charging those premium prices. Discounts on ER services might be advertised if services are somewhat less than they should be. People are often willing to stand in line for a discount, but at least they will know what to expect ahead of time.
Excuses are like rear ends, everyone can find theirs if they look hard enough. But to expect people to pay top dollar for excuses is ridiculous. If a doctor's office can't deal effectively/efficiently with an insurance carrier, then don't accept that type of insurance....but don't just keep coming up with another excuse for ineffectiveness/inefficiency.
Consumers should not have to pay and be inconvenienced as a result of poor management. Some doctors continue to schedule patients too close together thus causing long waits. Such is an example of poor management and possibly greed. The public shouldn't have to put up with either. It's not just a matter of "appropriate" care whatever that means. It's a matter of getting what you pay for.
We have to watch out for the Hilton Head/Hardeeville hospital complex run by the Tenet Corporation. They have gotten in some serious trouble in another state during the last couple years for cheating on Medicare reimbursements. A local college was assigned to take over their books for a while.
Let's hope Tenet does better down South of the Broad, Beaufort Memorial doesn't need any more patients.
We have to watch out for the Hilton Head/Hardeeville hospital complex run by the Tenet Corporation. They have gotten in some serious trouble in another state during the last couple years for cheating on Medicare reimbursements. A local college was assigned to take over their books for a while.
Let's hope Tenet does better down South of the Broad, Beaufort Memorial doesn't need any more patients.
I'm sure they feel the same way.
Now I knew when I posted this that there would be at least one that would bring up the points that you have so eloquently done. So here are a few things you need to know Mermaid.
A) I have a Nursing Degree. Left the field for reasons just like this.
B) I am not a "frequent flier" of the health care system. I don't run to the Doctor or ER for just anything. I don't rush my kids there for a fever or even a cut if I can handle it myself. And I DO handle most things myself.
C) I am going to assume that your version of efficient includes not being told what is going on, not being checked on, not being able to call for help if I needed it and having two people in the same room as you being ignored as equally. I saw my Nurse twice. Coming in and going out. Never saw the Dr that diagnosed me and was given NO instruction on what activities I was limited to.
D) They knew that I had a fracture within an hour of being there. I have a very high pain tolerance. Twins natural and my youngest face presenting nature. There is no pain in the world worse than that kind of labor. I rank the pain level that I had to that. Four hours and three trips to the desk by my friend, begging them to give me something, I finally get something for pain. Then got ignored for two more hours. Wanna see you handle it with the control that I did.
And BTW they don't wait for Pre-Approval in the ER. A Doctors office yes. Not the ER. Every person through that door is treated as if they have no way to pay.
And you are right. It's not their fault that I injured myself. But knowing what I do about Lumbar Fractures, the longer I went without the proper brace to limit movement of the vertebrae the more damage I was causing to myself. This Doctor didn't refer me to just anyone. He referred me to his OWN OFFICE!!! And then I get a run around about getting in to see them. What ever!
Come and walk in my shoes just one day before you decide that I am something that I am not, Please. Thanks.
I have found that a huge problem at this hospital is lack of communication. The nurses are overloaded with patients and the MD's or PA's that you might see, don't really give a crap. I am a PT and have been in that ER for an issue before, and all I have to say is that Memorial in Savannah, where I have spent some time on clinical rotations, sees MANY more "frequent fliers" than BMH. They get their job done quicker and with much more efficiency. If BMH would get their head out of the sand and quit worrying about being the "most wired" and junk like that they might realize that if they got rid of some of their admin staff they could actually hire enough nursing staff and better educate their physicians. The last time I used BMH I saw a PA for about 45 seconds and never saw them again. 4 hours later a ER tech came in a handed me discharge papers and fitted me for crutches. Totally inappropriate.
Your story is complete BS. You know why? A compound fracture is when the bone punctures the skin! Anyone with First Aid training knows that! Your L1 vertebra would be sticking out of your back and you would be bleeding profusely!
Can we go back to reality?
Your story is complete BS. You know why? A compound fracture is when the bone punctures the skin! Anyone with First Aid training knows that! Your L1 vertebra would be sticking out of your back and you would be bleeding profusely!
Can we go back to reality?
Thank God she left nursing!!!
Like YOU of all on here never made a mistake when you were pissed about something.... Nah NEVER. Funny ask me what service industry I am in now. Now to answer the other questions it is a very small hairline fracture. Bracing to limit mobility was all that was required. However without it more damage was done.
And when it's in your back, well, that's just...freakin' scary.
Do you think maybe she meant "compressed?"
Stop huffin the fumes then blowing them out your tail pipe. I am not going to let a mistake I made in anger cloud the issue because you feel like belittling someone today. Even though I sought care somewhere else I have not let up on this Doctors office. And I have no intention to either. It's funny though. One of the other people in the room with me at the hospital was having the same complaints about the lack of attentiveness to the patients. If anyone sees Jim tell him that I hope his shoulder is better.
.
how did you escape the knife? i know bones heal, but my back suffered some trauma in the past, i ignored it, and one day, I bent over and felt and heard 5 pops, but I gotta tell ya', it was not sitting and waiting in the ER for a brace, it was collapsing, laying on the floor in a fetal postion, loosing all control of (well, you know...it was not a pretty sight)...long story short, airports are not my favorite place to visit, and my dead people bones were no doubt on their way out anyways...however, I got to say, I had the best care at BMH from the housekeeping all the way up the ladder. Now, the bill...well, that's healthcare, I can walk, the bill is paid, and I learned the hard way, when backbone says NO, backbone means NO!!!
My other half hurt his back seriously while at work. He was treated very well the five days he was admitted into the hospital, when he was in the ER... the whole time. He still isnt "fixed" as he is trying everything possible to keep from having surgery but it will happen one day. But the Doctors and Nurses there were wonderful with us.
This was Saturday. I got a bill today for Radiology. I could have bought a boat instead.
You've already received a bill?
Did you not have insurance?
Oh, that's right, you didn't.
Being a nurse, why don't you have insurance? Is there something you know that the rest of us should?
I am a full time Accounting student. Kinda messes up my classes right now but the school is working with me. Not how I am making a living right now, though.
Is it just too expensive? I certainly can understand that. However, life happens and there are alternatives. With your nursing certification, how can you not do all in order to have reliable insurance, unless you know something the rest of us don't. You say you have experience in the industry...how can you be comfortable not having insurance. In your original post, and this is in your blog, you seemed to have no problem proclaiming an abscence of insurance on your part. Why? And how? Honestly.
Just because I don't have insurance does not mean that my medical bills go unpaid. They are very few and father between. Never said that I was comfortable not having insurance. Just don't at that current moment. Not really sure that this is the blog to explain why either. That would be a bit of the "DEADBEAT DAD" blog mixed with one of Zoo's blogs.
Just because I don't have insurance does not mean that my medical bills go unpaid.
Okay, who pays them?
They are very few and father between.
Okay, which father?
Never said that I was comfortable not having insurance. Just don't at that current moment. Not really sure that this is the blog to explain why either. That would be a bit of the "DEADBEAT DAD" blog mixed with one of Zoo's blogs.
This is your blog and you brought it up. You had to have realized questions would be asked. You did, after all, invite them.
I pay them..
Because I work.... and if I didn't they would take the money from my tax refund every year til it was paid.
Didn't really appreciate the father crack but.... a Freudian slip. If you most know the truth both of the fathers of my children are court order to provide health insurance to their children. They don't. I am sure the next question in your head is why don't I take them back to court? If the courts can't make them pay their child support they why am I going to waste my money to pull them in on contempt for not providing insurance.
True this is my blog. At least I live in the really real world where I know what it is like to have to make a choice between paying a bill or eating.
That is why I don't have insurance. But my kids do!!!!!!
You made the "father crack," not I.
I am not litigious and now take umbrage with you for your assumption based upon nothing.
I've seen what it's like to have absolutely nothing to your name.
Apparently, you haven't.
Good for you.
Don't put people down unless "you've walked in their moccassins."
Enjoy your fast food tonight. A lot of people will go hungry. And cold.
scroll down to the bottom plz ;)
Is it just too expensive? I certainly can understand that. However, life happens and there are alternatives. With your nursing certification, how can you not do all in order to have reliable insurance, unless you know something the rest of us don't. You say you have experience in the industry...how can you be comfortable not having insurance. In your original post, and this is in your blog, you seemed to have no problem proclaiming an abscence of insurance on your part. Why? And how? Honestly.
Are you joking? Are you living in "never, never land" not realizing that there are working people who cannot afford health insurance?
You aren't very sweet after all, are you. Nor very perceptive.
All these separate "doctor's clinics" springing up on Ribaut Rd. in the hospital vicinity have something to do with the Medicare reimbursement to physicians.
Sometimes a Medicare patient is charged the Medicare rate for a doctor's visit, but never sees the doctor, just his nursing assistant. Also, Medicare visits cannot last longer than twenty minutes.
It's best to stay away from doctors and hospitals as much as possible. It's scary to learn that 90% of Medicare insured people are on ongoing daily prescription drug therapy, usually more than just one. It's hard for doctors to be aware of all the possible drug interactions.
Someone here gets it.
?
Don't be getting nasty now. I can always rewrite what I deleted.
By all means hun don't edit on any of our accounts.....
And yes I see my typo up there. Decided to leave it. Made me smile.
Now you're just getting silly. I have to go to work. You may want to try it, you actually might like it.
Broken back remember........
I was actually trying to take up for you when this all got started.
HHHIIIISSSSSS.
HAHAHHHA!
Let's get done with this.
Being stuck in a chair make people a bit grouchy hun.
http://www.covertheuninsuredsc.org/
This one I love just for the percent of medicaid.
http://www.ors2.state.sc.us/abstract/chapter11/health23b.asp
http://www.ors2.state.sc.us/abstract/chapter11/health19.asp
Did you know that some insurance companies run a credit check, at your expense, before considering insuring you. Did you know that it sometimes takes years to expunge your former spouses credit from your record? And boy oh boy don't let one of those bad marks be to any insurance company.
Now back to the issue. The appearance of an in ability to pay for "services" does make a Doctor reluctant to see a patient outside of the hospital. Instead of informing me of how much the office visit is going to cost so that I am prepared at my appointment, I am just given a run around about getting one. Called that office again this morning. "We are still waiting on your records from the Hospital, Ma'am. I will call you as soon as we have received them." CLICK. They won't get them.... THEY AREN"T THERE ANYMORE!!!
Kinda feel bad for the girl really.
Fractures, breaks, Medicare, Medicaid.......the point is that no matter who is paying, the service should be up to snuff. At BMH that is often not the case. The doctors and the hospital are at fault. I have commented before about the Board not performing adequate oversight. Sometimes I think that the Board is more of a social group than a serious Board dealing with issues that affect so many lives.
Although there are some fine medical personnel in the area, there are more than a few doctors that want to work part-time and get paid for full-time work. Sorry, even though I have several as friends, none of them are that great!
Do you get a weekly report of the BMH board's meeting minutes? Do you work for BMH? Some other hospital or medical facility? Are you a volunteer there? Have you ever been injured there? Are you a doctor? Have you ever "walked in those moccasins"?
We (the people who PAY for insurance) pay more because Medicaid doesn't.
I fully understand the bumper sticker I saw recently--WORK HARD--THOUSANDS OF WELFARE AND MEDICAID RECIPIENTS ARE COUNTING ON YOU!!!
BMH also requires it's physicians to maintain/acheive Board certification--this means on-going education to maintain this credential. AKA: "up to snuff".
You may not get a designer bedspread, and you may have to wait your turn, and nope it ain't perfect or even neccesarily consistent, but such is life, and more people than not can attest to some hospital/doctor/nurse somewhere giving them the chance to continue that life.
My point when I first started all this was Happymom did get reasonable care and a diagnosis. What she chooses to do after that is up to her as an individual.
A little off-topic, but this reminded me of a great bumper sticker I saw recently:
"LAND OF THE FREE
BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE"
Thank you Veterans, everywhere!