Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More
Talk of The Villages Florida - Rentals, Entertainment & More
#31
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The health care systems are generally overburdened, the mid-level practitioners in that specialty (PA's and NP's) are there to do an initial evaluation and triage as needed. After reviewing x-rays and determining if any additional tests are needed, they would refer you right away to one of the orthopods they work with. The orthopedic surgeons are generally not consulted if surgery is not needed since their time is too valuable for non-surgical cases. If the PA has any question or concerns about the x-rays, they would discuss with the Doc. The Ortho PA's I worked with in the past were extremely knowledgeable and talented.
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~Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be~ attributed to Abraham Lincoln |
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#32
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There are so many people who think they know exactly what is wrong with them, that are SO wrong about what is wrong with them. I have no doubt that you knew exactly what needed to be done. There is a very good chance that the PA would understood your situation and would have expedited and referred you to the right specialist. They might have even had a better plan of attack than what you wanted. |
#33
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Well, I presented the situation to two people at VHS (I see no need to give names) and they agreed with me. They seemed genuinely concerned that their own procedures appear to not have been followed. They are looking into it further, and I expect to hear something in the next day or two. Keep in mind the sequence. First, the injury. Second, tried to present the xrays and physician report to VHS and were told we would see "Tony". I am assuming this was a PA or NA, we were never told. Third, contacted ortho, and were told they do not do first or second days visits, she would have to wait until October. Fourth, were told by VHS to call an ambulance and go to the hospital. At no time were we offered and alternatives or explanations. It was literally take it or leave it. If they had followed their own procedures as outlined by the two people I talked to today, we would not even be having this discussion. If we were told it would be a few days, that is one thing. Two months is unacceptable under any circumstances. If we were given any options or any explanations, that would be different.
**Edit** The two people I spoke to were managers with VHS who are responsible for dealing with situations like this. Not just someone I ran into.... |
#34
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Frequently, when you seek an appointment without a referral or validation from a referring physician, this is what happens here in Florida when you try to see a specialist. If you call VHS before business hours or after business hours you may get an answering service who will not be able to answer with the skill of the people who are really employed by VHS. We have been impressed with the skill and sensitivity of all people who work at Creekside Care center. I don't know if it differs in other centers.
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It is better to laugh than to cry. |
#35
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Sometimes the gate keepers at Creekside do make getting timely appointments impossible. In every case, when I finally did get into see the nurse practitioner they were surprised I didn’t get an appointment within a day or two.
Part of the issue VHS is having is changing computer systems multiple times in the last two years. My mother has had terrible issues that ended up with her in the hospital twice because they lost requests for referrals and test results. Sometimes the system is just overwhelmed. At hospital checkout the instructions said to get in to see her specialist within 3 days, the first available appointment for the specialist was 2 weeks, and this was in the summer. The office staff schedules to many non-emergency appointments per week, not allowing room for urgent appointments. I would be more than happy to have my yearly checkup scheduled 8 months out as long as in an urgent situation I could get in to see the doctor in a few days. Right now I’m under 65, so I have good insurance that allows me to bypass VHS in an emergency. When I had orthopedic issues, and I couldn’t get in to see the PA or doctors for a week, I called my husband’s orthopedic doctors and got in the next day, and was well on my way to recovery by the time I could even get in to see my VHS Creekside nurse practitioner. In the last few weeks both my mother and I were able to get timely appointments at Creekside, and the nurse mentioned that one of the doctors and a PA that were out on various leaves are all back now. Also they have found all the missing records, and are verifying prescriptions to ensure they all are correct. Perhaps the issues my family has had the last six months is getting better. |
#36
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We were told by a scheduler that we should call 911. When I spoke to one of the supervisors yesterday, he told me that he was there when that happened. The procedure that should have occurred did not, and he was disappointed that it was not. Had he, at the time, or had the scheduler, at the time, followed the procedure that was later explained to me, then the whole incident would not have happened. My question was answered by the two supervisors. I am, according to them, not being unreasonable. Now, if they can remedy the situation so this won't happen to the next person, all will be good.
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#37
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Back to the original question - am I being unreasonable ? Many posters here believe you were by not following the advice first given to you to see the PA. A few others here love to bash TV health system. It's obvious you feel you were not being unreasonable. Your story has evolved into progressive disclosure the longer it stays alive. IT is coming up on re up time for TV health. Why not switch if you are so unhappy? What is the motive of continuing this debacle independent of which side of the fence anyone is on?
Last edited by rustyp; 08-21-2019 at 05:58 PM. |
#38
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TO me? The fact that they listened to you, admitted a breakdown in protocol and looking to fix the issue is a big deal. I guess you have to decide if this explanation works for you or if you want to find another healthcare provider. |
#39
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[QUOTE=They listened to you and admitted the system didn't work.
TO me? The fact that they listened to you, admitted a breakdown in protocol and looking to fix the issue is a big deal. I guess you have to decide if this explanation works for you or if you want to find another healthcare provider.[/QUOTE] I agree wholeheartedly. It was a big deal that they listened. It would be nice if this didn't happen again, to someone else. In the meantime, as I think I have stated before, I couldn't be happier with the ROUTINE care that I and my wife have received by VHS. This is what would make it difficult to make a change. But at our ages, it is easy to expect that emergencies can occur, and if that part is deficient, it is a problem. I am trying to remain positive, given the response of the managers at VHS. |
#40
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No matter what state you live in PAs have always be highly regarded. Most were hired in hospitals. Physicians had to pay them out of their practice if they were used privately, thus it was a luxury. Now it a necessity, not a luxury, to have a PA or a FA in office and surgery, they have become more prominent in the community. Like a first responder PAs or FAs can get medical issue expedited to the best medical care needed. Last edited by thelegges; 08-22-2019 at 03:22 AM. |
#41
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I've seen over a dozen PAs throughout the years and only one of them left me with a negative impression of her. I can say the same for the doctors I've had throughout the years. Just one that I didn't like. The OP had an unfavorable experienced, talked it out with the omnibudsmen (I'm assuming that's what they were, or how they were functioning), and got it resolved. Glad for the update OP and hopefully you'll get the care you and your wife should get, going forward! |
#42
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OP, I understand your wife was in excruciating pain (your words) and when our love ones are in pain we want “action” immediately. It appears that VHS has certain protocols which you did not follow. Who knows, given the same circumstances, we might have done the same as you and attempted to seek help elsewhere. It appears the two month timeline was just enough to send you over the edge so to speak. Sometimes, with good intentions, we make a quick decision at the wrong time. Unreasonable, maybe, but also understandable. Very happy that everything worked out in the long run. Full disclosure - neither my wife or I are currently in the VHS health system.
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Most people are as happy as they make up their mind to be. Abraham Lincoln Last edited by justjim; 08-22-2019 at 08:50 AM. Reason: Spelling |
#43
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My opinion
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Sadly, gone are the days when your doctor made house calls and knew you as a human being. Today, the most important medical question is, what insurance do you have? When, you call the doctor's office, you do not speak to the doctor. The person you speak to is mostly like a travel agent. Her computer tells her opened seats on Tuesday. That booking agent, your first contact with an office is actually a very important staff member. She has little or no medical training. She can get hit with several calls at once and some calls are frankly unreasonable We hear, we are told that you get better care from private healthcare rather than using a hospital emergency room. Frankly, it depends what for. |
#44
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#45
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We've had no problems with VHS
I'm happy that you are glad, but for the benefit of others that may be currently considering the Village Health System, please note that my wife and I have been in a Medicare Advantage Plan with VHS for the past 5 years and have been very pleased with our doctors and all services provided, in all respects.
We have had several medical issues and emergency care issues and have never experienced the problems described elsewhere in this post thread or in other post threads like it. |
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