Yesterday Mary had to take her kids to an early dentist appointment, and wasn't able to get here until 10:00. Annie was stuck in traffic, so I took over the front desk since the first patient, a new one, was scheduled for 9:00.
The patient showed up at 9:30, WAY too late (in my opinion) to try and see a new patient. So I told her she'd have to reschedule. She wasn't happy about it, and asked to see a different doctor, or a PA or NP. I told her we don't have anyone else, and so she finally rescheduled to next Tuesday.
Later in the afternoon:
Mary: "Dr. Grumpy's office, this is Mary."
Mrs. 9:30: "Yeah, I had an appointment this morning, and had to reschedule it to next week."
Mary: "Yes?"
Mrs. 9:30: "I just want to complain. The male receptionist who was working this morning wouldn't let me see the doctor. I didn't like that at all."
Mary: "Male receptionist... Oh, that was..."
Mrs. 9:30: "I don't care what his name was. The doctor needs to know his staff is turning patients away. Even if they show up late, it's still inappropriate. My time is valuable."
(long pause)
Mary: "The doctor is aware of what happened."
Mrs. 9:30: "Good. Because I want to be sure to tell him about that guy at my appointment."
Mary: "You'll definitely have the opportunity."
Looking forward to Tuesday!
Can't wait to hear all about it! :D
ReplyDeleteHaha! :D *rubbing hands in anticipitation of her facial expression*
ReplyDeleteMy bet is that she'll turn around and leave in a huff! Pride>valuable time for some entitled people.
You're just trying to create suspense to get more hits on your blog ;-)
ReplyDeleteSurpriiiiise!!! Wish I could be there to see her reaction when the penny drops!
ReplyDeleteI know you can't do that, but I would LOVE to see her face when you enter the exam room!
ReplyDeleteHey hey hey...IF you had an NP...would said NP be willing to see a late arrival? WTH? Does this lady think we're just waiting for the scraps?
ReplyDeletePediNP- I absolutely agree with you. No one should have to see her. She can reschedule.
ReplyDeleteBut, but, HER time is so valuable! Yours? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteSo, is Mary getting popcorn for that visit?
ReplyDelete;)
Maybe you could install a hidden camera so we could watch it. I'd appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteOh, to be a fly on the wall...
ReplyDeleteGrumpy is having some shadenfreude (or however that is spelled) over the new Pt rxn.
ReplyDeleteBe nice. Remember if she is seeing a neurologist, there is something possibly wrong with the cns.
Please have her undress for her exam before you enter but leave the fan off.
ReplyDeleteI bet she won't remember by next Tuesday what the receptionist looked like--and might not even remember to complain. But if she does suspect it was you, Grumpy, tell her it was your twin brother, to whom you throw occasional work in order to keep him out of jail.
ReplyDeleteas a kindness, Mary could make statement when she checks in (IF timely on the next visit) that Dr G was filling in at the desk, so to save her face. patients, even dissatisfied, do not sue when information/honesty is the policy
ReplyDeleteno matter how tempting, otherwise.
on the other hand, if she shows up late again, all bets are off, and explain the charge fee structure for second late visit and never again for the third....
- old PA
I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteDo tell us how it goes :)
Sure wish I could be a fly on Dr. Grumpy's exam room wall when Mrs. 9:30 discovers WHO the male receptionist is. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI have never understood people who are always late for their appointments and then get indignant over the consequences. Man...I'd love to see the look on her face when she finally confronts her offender for the 2nd time! heh heh heh....
ReplyDeleteYou most certainly owe us a followup next Wednesday!
ReplyDelete*sighs* if only that visit could be webcasted without breaking hipaa laws... i would totally skip morning worship on tuesday for that!
ReplyDeleteGrumpy:
ReplyDeleteI only know one doc who is even remotely brave enough to do what you did.
He's a reservist and carries a sidearm when he's not on campus.
He's been complained about in person, too, by a very similar patient.
Get out your video camera for Tuesday, because you'll have some priceless footage.
I ought to call this my feel-good story of the week!
Isn't your time valuable as well? Send her a bill!
ReplyDeleteold PA (Anonymous at 2:22 pm), Mary WAS honest with the patient.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get on the phone with a rude patient, I tell them off- and then tell them I am my partner, Dr Jablowi, first name Haywood
ReplyDeleteThere is no way she'll recognize you. She sees you as "the male receptionist," not "the doctor" who of course, would not want to turn away a patient - especially one as grand as she.
ReplyDeleteI'm putting my shrink rep on the line here...
Maybe this is the time to drag out that shiny lab jacket, restyle the mop, and wear Marie's tie that she gave you for Father's Day? You could also wear shades and a gold ring on your pinkie finger, something shiny? I've noticed a considerable difference in facial recognition when I wear a lab jacket. I was just walking through the ER filling the automated dispensing machine and the patient on the gurney saw me and started groaning and moaning. She had been chatting on her cell phone animatedly up to the point where she saw me. (RPh)
ReplyDeleteYou know that if you don't update us on what happens we're going to riot and hunt you down with pitchforks and lit torches.
ReplyDelete(my captcha words include "convicted" - just keep that in mind!)
I'm expecting an update this Tuesday. You better deliver!
ReplyDeleteSo, we definitely need a followup blog to this one!!!!!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when I was working as a pharmacist in a big-box store pharmacy and my district manager decided to stop in to chat. He decided in his infinite wisdom he was going to "help out" because we were running due to a tech being out. He had never worked in pharmacy before getting the DM job and was nearly clueless. The techs on duty had to bit their tongues to not laught at him or scream at him for the constant errors and mistakes. I got pulled over by one customer who told me I needed to fire the male "tech" because he as useless. She also had a number of things to say about his customer service and other things. I tried not to laugh because he would always chew us out whenever some one called and complained that we didn't get their scripts out fast enough regardless that they think we could do 6 scripts with them not having an insurance card but telling us to "look it up" and get it done in 10 minutes, but they're back at 5 minutes demanding their filled scripts. The customer didn't seem to believe that the "idiot" working was my boss. I guess when she called to complain about the "tech" she was going to get an interesting surprise.
ReplyDelete