Potential Lawsuit Time
Aug. 8th, 2005 05:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
oneirophreniaI went to the dentist today to get my teeth cleaned, and left with what I believe might be a mild concussion.
At the dentist, as I was about to leave, I smashed my head on a big metal thing sticking out of the wall. Jesus fucking Christ, did that hurt....but after a few minutes I felt more-or-less okay, so I just paid for the visit and left. As I was walkin g back to my car, however, I noticed I was staggering, getting dizzy and very tired, and my visual depth perception was somehow off--I can't really describe it, but as an example, I dropped my keys trying to put them into my car door...which wasn't where I thought it was. At that point, it seemed I really had hurt myself. So, somehow, I drove the few blocks to the Uniontown Hospital to the emergency room.
I was checked in very quickly--especially since, by that point, I couldn't really stand up very well: I wasn't in extreme pain, mind you, but I felt very lightheaded and weird. They got a wheelchair for me and checked my vitals, then I gave them my no-insurance-whatsoever information, and they parked me near the waiting room, informing me that I'd be taken right back.
And there I sat for the next three hours.
At some point, my mother showed up--I must;ve called her, though i can't emember--and she got them to fetch me an icepack for my head. As the hours wore by, every fucking other jackass in that place was clled back except for me. Also, as the hous passed, I started feeling better. My vision cleard up completely, I was no longer dizzy or sleepy, and aside from some minor lightheadedness when I stood up to take a piss, I felt fine. My mother asked what the fuck they were doing and the one nurse said there was some old sonofabitch in the back having chest pains. Well, okay, I figured: that does trump a possible concussion. But then...they completely forgot I was there. Hours passed, and people wiht minor problems like swollen ankles were taken back. While I sat there.
I finally told them to go to hell and left, and came to work, where I am currently writing this. I have already contacted the ER's nursing director and left a long, very very angry message for her concerning this. I am planning to file a formal complaint this time, and will most likely also be contacting any and all bhealthcare oversight boards that may supervise Uniontown Hospital and file complaints with them as well.
If I do not receive some kind of apology from that goddamned hospital, I'm going to file a fucking lawsuit and report their asses to everyonne I can possible complain to. This is fucking bullshit.
I still don't feel 100% fine, but my head just hurts a little now and I can see OK. The thing is...I take possible head injuries VERY FUCKING SERUIOUSLY. f I actually have a concussion, the damage is good and done by now. But i'll be goddamned stright to hell if I ever set foot in that motherfucking hospital again.
I certainly WILL be making their lives herll for the next couple of weeks, however. UIf anyone has suggestions of what to do further, feel free to send 'em my way.
(BTW: All the misspellings above are the result of trying to type when your fingers are so stiff from holding an icepack and enduring 30-degree ER conditions, not from any cognitive difficulties.)
At the dentist, as I was about to leave, I smashed my head on a big metal thing sticking out of the wall. Jesus fucking Christ, did that hurt....but after a few minutes I felt more-or-less okay, so I just paid for the visit and left. As I was walkin g back to my car, however, I noticed I was staggering, getting dizzy and very tired, and my visual depth perception was somehow off--I can't really describe it, but as an example, I dropped my keys trying to put them into my car door...which wasn't where I thought it was. At that point, it seemed I really had hurt myself. So, somehow, I drove the few blocks to the Uniontown Hospital to the emergency room.
I was checked in very quickly--especially since, by that point, I couldn't really stand up very well: I wasn't in extreme pain, mind you, but I felt very lightheaded and weird. They got a wheelchair for me and checked my vitals, then I gave them my no-insurance-whatsoever information, and they parked me near the waiting room, informing me that I'd be taken right back.
And there I sat for the next three hours.
At some point, my mother showed up--I must;ve called her, though i can't emember--and she got them to fetch me an icepack for my head. As the hours wore by, every fucking other jackass in that place was clled back except for me. Also, as the hous passed, I started feeling better. My vision cleard up completely, I was no longer dizzy or sleepy, and aside from some minor lightheadedness when I stood up to take a piss, I felt fine. My mother asked what the fuck they were doing and the one nurse said there was some old sonofabitch in the back having chest pains. Well, okay, I figured: that does trump a possible concussion. But then...they completely forgot I was there. Hours passed, and people wiht minor problems like swollen ankles were taken back. While I sat there.
I finally told them to go to hell and left, and came to work, where I am currently writing this. I have already contacted the ER's nursing director and left a long, very very angry message for her concerning this. I am planning to file a formal complaint this time, and will most likely also be contacting any and all bhealthcare oversight boards that may supervise Uniontown Hospital and file complaints with them as well.
If I do not receive some kind of apology from that goddamned hospital, I'm going to file a fucking lawsuit and report their asses to everyonne I can possible complain to. This is fucking bullshit.
I still don't feel 100% fine, but my head just hurts a little now and I can see OK. The thing is...I take possible head injuries VERY FUCKING SERUIOUSLY. f I actually have a concussion, the damage is good and done by now. But i'll be goddamned stright to hell if I ever set foot in that motherfucking hospital again.
I certainly WILL be making their lives herll for the next couple of weeks, however. UIf anyone has suggestions of what to do further, feel free to send 'em my way.
(BTW: All the misspellings above are the result of trying to type when your fingers are so stiff from holding an icepack and enduring 30-degree ER conditions, not from any cognitive difficulties.)
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no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 02:18 am (UTC)Even though you didn't get to see a doctor in regards to the matter, you will more than likely get billed for the triage. Don't say I didn't warn you- just for taking your blood pressure, temperature- and they will also give you a acuity level of emergency.
What you will want to do once you get the actual bill: Contact their patient relations department and tell them the whole experience. How long you waited, the situation, how you saw people with swollen ankles going back before you. Call with a rational head and attitude, and your voice should be heard.
I hear this stuff all day- and I've dealt with a lot of escalated call cases after they've been handled (it's my job to log them for UPMC). So, this is the way to go!
I'm sorry to hear about this though- that really sucks. :(
no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 06:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 10:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 02:32 am (UTC)Also, what the hell was the metal thing sticking out of the wall at the dentist's office?
no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 06:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 12:35 pm (UTC)So, even though the Uniontown Hospital is crap, which we already knew, you were, at least, not missing out on any serious medical attention.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 07:06 pm (UTC)