There's an ad on TV, for an auto company, advertising the new Buick, maybe.
Several young women are driving to a baby shower, and one turns to the other and says, "You know she's having a boy, right?" She asks this question with a facial expression so ugly it makes me shudder. I wonder who looks at these ads, and why they don't re-shoot it with her having a different expression on her face. (Oh, well, maybe it's just me.)
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 29, 2018
How hot is it?
It's so hot that the snakes didn't come out today.
At 5 a.m., it was 60 degrees, at 9 a.m. it was 70, at noon it was 80 and at 3 p.m. it is 85. Temperatures are from thermometer outside my kitchen window, so in the afternoon shade. The house temperature is very comfortable now: typically heat level rises in late afternoon, so we'll see. Maybe tomorrow will be an A.C. day.
At 5 a.m., it was 60 degrees, at 9 a.m. it was 70, at noon it was 80 and at 3 p.m. it is 85. Temperatures are from thermometer outside my kitchen window, so in the afternoon shade. The house temperature is very comfortable now: typically heat level rises in late afternoon, so we'll see. Maybe tomorrow will be an A.C. day.
What the...?
And what happened to the heat wave. It seems chilly out: it reads 60 degrees outside the kitchen window.
I wonder what the pay rate is to be in a bucket in the wee hours with your arms stretched over your head, working with a helmet light amidst power lines: no wonder our rates are so high.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Hospital Lies and Lapses
How to tell the difference and does it really matter if:
* you're hospitalized for parts of 6 days, and no one mentions a crucial finding from testing on the first day
* you're told results will be posted on your patient portal. One result appears for one day and then disappears into the ether.
* you're later told, on call to hospital help desk, that pathology reports are never posted on patient portal. You know this is not true, as you have many such postings over the years, the most recent Nov. 2017.
*you're told the posting date is 15 days after receipt, then told 14 days, but the release date on their own home page says it's 7 days.
* the bricks and mortar department of medical records prints out what they say is 56 pages of your requested records, but they are not what you requested and there are only 25 total pages, many of them blank, but you paid for 56
* the staff searches the printer to see if the rest of the pages are there. Maybe they went to someone else?
* you're told that the search was unsuccessful because the medical records person didn't know where to look because she's new here.
* no one knows where some of your records are and have no explanation as to where they went, or how some were deleted from your portal
* the contact information for portal help routes you to a patient advocate who says she's not very familiar with the patient portal
* you are told all patients are assigned a Hospitalist, but though you were there for 6 days, Oops, you were not assigned one.
*you're told the person responsible for informing you of "suspicious mass" would either be the Emergency Room doctor, who referred you for admission or the admitting doctor, a surgeon who was ready to operate if necessary. Although you were in the hospital for 5 more days.
* the nurse from Interventional Radiology brings your lab script to the desk, but after a wait of 75 minutes you ask why the wait and several desk workers finally say the script was not there, no apologies either
* you are referred to the Patient Portal Expert, a white-haired woman who knows less about the portal than you do. Honest.She is unable to open the home page, has incorrect information as to date of release information for results, and is wrong about how the results page opens up.She is unable to link your portal with the hospital's, though it had been working fine for several years up to now.
* not only is much of the staff unfamiliar with patient portals,they are also unaware of the existence of a patient advocate/ representative
CONCLUSION: Hospital pays for expensive publicists who tout the hospital's impressive policies and offerings, but there is a wide disconnect between the ideal and the implemented.
Those who think this is an isolated set of circumstances are probably wrong; many patients are blissfully unaware of what goes on in the dark reaches of the halls of healing.*
* Had I not read on my patient portal, back when it was functioning as it should, I would not have discovered, 2 weeks after discharge, that an important health finding had been ignored so the incompetencies* above would never have come to light.
**At first I thought conspiracy theory: after I notified the hospital's patient advocate, who, contrary to publicized intent, prioritizes the hospital's interests, that no one told me the most important finding, damage control kicks in and postings disappear, even from the medical records department. The hospital's litigation department takes over, expunging potentially damaging material.
That remains a possibility, but one that could well be subsumed by the general ignorance and lack of concern in the atmosphere of the facility itself. Who knows.
* you're hospitalized for parts of 6 days, and no one mentions a crucial finding from testing on the first day
* you're told results will be posted on your patient portal. One result appears for one day and then disappears into the ether.
* you're later told, on call to hospital help desk, that pathology reports are never posted on patient portal. You know this is not true, as you have many such postings over the years, the most recent Nov. 2017.
*you're told the posting date is 15 days after receipt, then told 14 days, but the release date on their own home page says it's 7 days.
* the bricks and mortar department of medical records prints out what they say is 56 pages of your requested records, but they are not what you requested and there are only 25 total pages, many of them blank, but you paid for 56
* the staff searches the printer to see if the rest of the pages are there. Maybe they went to someone else?
* you're told that the search was unsuccessful because the medical records person didn't know where to look because she's new here.
* no one knows where some of your records are and have no explanation as to where they went, or how some were deleted from your portal
* the contact information for portal help routes you to a patient advocate who says she's not very familiar with the patient portal
* you are told all patients are assigned a Hospitalist, but though you were there for 6 days, Oops, you were not assigned one.
*you're told the person responsible for informing you of "suspicious mass" would either be the Emergency Room doctor, who referred you for admission or the admitting doctor, a surgeon who was ready to operate if necessary. Although you were in the hospital for 5 more days.
* the nurse from Interventional Radiology brings your lab script to the desk, but after a wait of 75 minutes you ask why the wait and several desk workers finally say the script was not there, no apologies either
* you are referred to the Patient Portal Expert, a white-haired woman who knows less about the portal than you do. Honest.She is unable to open the home page, has incorrect information as to date of release information for results, and is wrong about how the results page opens up.She is unable to link your portal with the hospital's, though it had been working fine for several years up to now.
* not only is much of the staff unfamiliar with patient portals,they are also unaware of the existence of a patient advocate/ representative
CONCLUSION: Hospital pays for expensive publicists who tout the hospital's impressive policies and offerings, but there is a wide disconnect between the ideal and the implemented.
Those who think this is an isolated set of circumstances are probably wrong; many patients are blissfully unaware of what goes on in the dark reaches of the halls of healing.*
* Had I not read on my patient portal, back when it was functioning as it should, I would not have discovered, 2 weeks after discharge, that an important health finding had been ignored so the incompetencies* above would never have come to light.
**At first I thought conspiracy theory: after I notified the hospital's patient advocate, who, contrary to publicized intent, prioritizes the hospital's interests, that no one told me the most important finding, damage control kicks in and postings disappear, even from the medical records department. The hospital's litigation department takes over, expunging potentially damaging material.
That remains a possibility, but one that could well be subsumed by the general ignorance and lack of concern in the atmosphere of the facility itself. Who knows.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Caveat Emptor (Even if not an emptor)
I was paying a bunch of bills today, as I've been doing ever since the duty fell to me. We pay online through our bank. I opened the Citi card statement which is in Dave's name, and scanned through the charges. I noticed a charge which I'd wondered about before, a charge of $12.97 from IC *FREESHIPPING.
I think I'd attributed it to some purchase or other on Amazon, where sometimes things are shipped free and sometimes they aren't. Or maybe some other authorized user had incurred the charge. But it was beginning to seem a little too familiar monthly occurrence, and though the amount is minimal in the credit card billing world, I decided today to call and find out what exactly it was for.
Danielle answered, and asked what I was calling about. I asked what the charge of $12.97 was for. Danielle immediately went into a fast-talking explanation. She said it was from a long time ago online inquiry into shipping for ProFlowers, and said I'd never placed the order so she would cancel the account, which by the way I had no knowledge of. Without my saying another word, she quickly added that she would issue a refund from January 2018, for 6 months of charges. I will be receiving a refund of just under $78.
ProFlowers----Shame on you. That is, if you're aware.
I think I'd attributed it to some purchase or other on Amazon, where sometimes things are shipped free and sometimes they aren't. Or maybe some other authorized user had incurred the charge. But it was beginning to seem a little too familiar monthly occurrence, and though the amount is minimal in the credit card billing world, I decided today to call and find out what exactly it was for.
Danielle answered, and asked what I was calling about. I asked what the charge of $12.97 was for. Danielle immediately went into a fast-talking explanation. She said it was from a long time ago online inquiry into shipping for ProFlowers, and said I'd never placed the order so she would cancel the account, which by the way I had no knowledge of. Without my saying another word, she quickly added that she would issue a refund from January 2018, for 6 months of charges. I will be receiving a refund of just under $78.
ProFlowers----Shame on you. That is, if you're aware.
Monday, June 25, 2018
My Day (and welcome to it.)
I made a list of stuff to do today. Actually it's a list of leftover items from yesterday, when I'd emailed Remington, returned bottles, filled the gas tank, and had a new battery installed in my watch. Phew, what a day! As usual, I knew I wouldn't get to everything on my list, but I try. The first items were to mail a package and cash a check. The mailing was easy. I never did get to the bank, but tomorrow will come.
Next item was to call J.H. They request past medical records for consideration of second-opinion visits. I wanted to know how far back the medical file should go, a simple request, I'd thought. I had the phone number and called--into a series of questions: what department, who have I already spoken to, etc., and finally a transfer to someone who transferred me to someone else who asked the same questions. I gave up and said I'd call back. Maybe Monday is not a good day for this.
And next, another simple task, to get copies of my surgical reports which, for reasons no one can explain, have failed to show up on my otherwise very reliable patient portal. I have emailed, called, faxed to no avail, and have had several conversations with Carol, Patient Representative for Samaritan Hospital. She has "checked" several times, but so far with no luck. So I decided to get my medical results the old-fashioned way, by picking them up at the Medical Records Office located in Samaritan Hospital, as I have in the past. Just to make sure, I called and was assured they were open, until 4 p.m. and ready to comply.
A little past 11, I drove to the facility, hoping to arrive before their lunchtime, though they said they remain open. I filled out the release, requesting all information after June 5, 2018. I wanted paperwork only from the time of my surgery. Everything else is already on my portal. After a short wait, the representative came out and handed me an envelope with the information, she said. Because there were 56 pages, she said, I would be charged $4.56. OK. I said and took the packet, which seemed awfully thin for 56 pages. And 56 pages in 3 weeks!
In my car, in my own space, I opened the packet to find not the information I'd requested, but only stuff that was already available in my portal, and not 56 pages, but 25. Back in I go to Medical Records, envelope in hand, and explain the situation. First step they took was to check the copier to see if some of the other 26 pages were there. No. They had no answer. They called a supervisor. She didn't know either. She made several calls and after a while, told me they had no explanation as to why they had not appeared or if they ever would. She did find one page of the report, so partial success anyway.
I'd previously been told the Pathology Reports are not entered on the Portal. I knew this was not true, though I diplomatically say it's incorrect. Someone else told me there is a 15-day wait after receipt. Again, I know this is not true, as per the Portal's own site, but I don't say untrue, or stupid. I say incorrect.
I still want/need the other pathology reports, so I ask if Carol is in. She had told me before, after a series of calls, that she would like to meet me in person. I decide this might be the time, so I ask at the main desk if she is in. After they are told who she is and what capacity she serves in, someone contacts her, and she does indeed meet me at the desk. I recount my plight once more and she calls the woman in charge of the patient portal. The portal expert asks me to sign in to my portal, on a borrowed laptop in an empty office, because her office is across the street. She intends to link my portal with their portal and Voila! my portal should show the results.
In the meantime, Carol has made a trip to Medical Records and returns with the copy of report #2. She said the person there didn't know where to look; she was new. So now I have the hard copies of 2 pathology reports and the portal expert is still trying to link my portal. I dislike being ageist, but I was not surprised. She has white hair and tends to mutter to herself while trying to enter data. And she insists that there is a 14-day wait, though not the 15 days she previously claimed. (It's 7 days according to the portal itself,)
She's still trying to link, but I say I have to leave. I need to tend to the dog my family has left, while on a trip to Baltimore that I could have accompanied them on for a second JH opinion if only I'd had access to my reports. Or something like that.
And I arrive in Schaghticoke at 2:30, in time to let the dog out. She exits somewhat reluctantly and wants to come back in right away. That was easy.
Next item was to call J.H. They request past medical records for consideration of second-opinion visits. I wanted to know how far back the medical file should go, a simple request, I'd thought. I had the phone number and called--into a series of questions: what department, who have I already spoken to, etc., and finally a transfer to someone who transferred me to someone else who asked the same questions. I gave up and said I'd call back. Maybe Monday is not a good day for this.
And next, another simple task, to get copies of my surgical reports which, for reasons no one can explain, have failed to show up on my otherwise very reliable patient portal. I have emailed, called, faxed to no avail, and have had several conversations with Carol, Patient Representative for Samaritan Hospital. She has "checked" several times, but so far with no luck. So I decided to get my medical results the old-fashioned way, by picking them up at the Medical Records Office located in Samaritan Hospital, as I have in the past. Just to make sure, I called and was assured they were open, until 4 p.m. and ready to comply.
A little past 11, I drove to the facility, hoping to arrive before their lunchtime, though they said they remain open. I filled out the release, requesting all information after June 5, 2018. I wanted paperwork only from the time of my surgery. Everything else is already on my portal. After a short wait, the representative came out and handed me an envelope with the information, she said. Because there were 56 pages, she said, I would be charged $4.56. OK. I said and took the packet, which seemed awfully thin for 56 pages. And 56 pages in 3 weeks!
In my car, in my own space, I opened the packet to find not the information I'd requested, but only stuff that was already available in my portal, and not 56 pages, but 25. Back in I go to Medical Records, envelope in hand, and explain the situation. First step they took was to check the copier to see if some of the other 26 pages were there. No. They had no answer. They called a supervisor. She didn't know either. She made several calls and after a while, told me they had no explanation as to why they had not appeared or if they ever would. She did find one page of the report, so partial success anyway.
I'd previously been told the Pathology Reports are not entered on the Portal. I knew this was not true, though I diplomatically say it's incorrect. Someone else told me there is a 15-day wait after receipt. Again, I know this is not true, as per the Portal's own site, but I don't say untrue, or stupid. I say incorrect.
I still want/need the other pathology reports, so I ask if Carol is in. She had told me before, after a series of calls, that she would like to meet me in person. I decide this might be the time, so I ask at the main desk if she is in. After they are told who she is and what capacity she serves in, someone contacts her, and she does indeed meet me at the desk. I recount my plight once more and she calls the woman in charge of the patient portal. The portal expert asks me to sign in to my portal, on a borrowed laptop in an empty office, because her office is across the street. She intends to link my portal with their portal and Voila! my portal should show the results.
In the meantime, Carol has made a trip to Medical Records and returns with the copy of report #2. She said the person there didn't know where to look; she was new. So now I have the hard copies of 2 pathology reports and the portal expert is still trying to link my portal. I dislike being ageist, but I was not surprised. She has white hair and tends to mutter to herself while trying to enter data. And she insists that there is a 14-day wait, though not the 15 days she previously claimed. (It's 7 days according to the portal itself,)
She's still trying to link, but I say I have to leave. I need to tend to the dog my family has left, while on a trip to Baltimore that I could have accompanied them on for a second JH opinion if only I'd had access to my reports. Or something like that.
And I arrive in Schaghticoke at 2:30, in time to let the dog out. She exits somewhat reluctantly and wants to come back in right away. That was easy.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
"They Should Have Known" Revisited: She Knew.
The one person associated with the Administration who has largely escaped criticism just symbolically gave everybody the finger. IN CAPS. So she's correct in saying there was no hidden message.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Archaic, methought
A term I didn't think people used anymore, but I've heard at least 6 times in the last 2 days-----"How dare you!" Even, "How dare you, sir!"
Be very afraid..."
...when you hear the words, "I'm here to help you." Traditionally this warning has applied to the Government. I'm afraid a logical extension could also accompany health care services, which are inextricably entwined with government services. Does the person who is identified as a Patient Advocate or Patient Relations Contact function, wittingly or unwittingly, as an undercover agent for the legal department of a hospital.
I read long ago that if you or your child ever suffers an injury or incident at Disneyland, the first responders will be young employees, solicitous and caring about your misfortune, who ask all about the event, gather all the information, and while you may suppose it is for your benefit, they are careful, in their questioning, to extract any bit of information that could indicate negligence on your part. Their function is to absolve their employer of any wrongdoing.
I don't think it too much of a stretch to apply that message to the health care industry. If, say, a hospital, provides a contact person as a patient advocate, is it unreasonable to assume that the first loyalty of the advocate is to the hospital where she is employed or stationed, rather than to members of the unknown masses who are looking for a shoulder to cry on. So to speak.
I read long ago that if you or your child ever suffers an injury or incident at Disneyland, the first responders will be young employees, solicitous and caring about your misfortune, who ask all about the event, gather all the information, and while you may suppose it is for your benefit, they are careful, in their questioning, to extract any bit of information that could indicate negligence on your part. Their function is to absolve their employer of any wrongdoing.
I don't think it too much of a stretch to apply that message to the health care industry. If, say, a hospital, provides a contact person as a patient advocate, is it unreasonable to assume that the first loyalty of the advocate is to the hospital where she is employed or stationed, rather than to members of the unknown masses who are looking for a shoulder to cry on. So to speak.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
They should have known.
Never, ever, under any circumstances, tell a joke with racism overtones or try to justify keeping a crying child from its mother. Bad, bad, bad decisions!
Monday, June 18, 2018
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Bugs
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
One Centimeter into Parts Unknown
1 in. = 2.54 cm.
1 cm. minus 11 sections = parts unknown
Friday, June 8, 2018
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Salad Daze
Sunday, June 3, 2018
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