This morning , I had to take Himself to the Lab--bloodwork--urinalysis--- and it was snowing --hard!-- We were told to get there around 10am and it would not be as busy as if we went at 7am------ The whole event was difficult!-- The snow in town on the roads was slippery--but, I managed to get there, and dropped himself at the door, and I was hoping to park the car--but--- dropping Himself off, on a snowy sidewalk, was scary-- would he fall??-- As I was sitting there worrying about all this, I noticed a Lady grabbed Himself's arm and helped him into the building----so nice of her--- So, I drove around the block and parked, and ran back to the building, grabbed an elevator, and met Himself upstairs on the 3rd floor--
The whole hallway, outside the Lab, was full of people-all waiting to get their blood work done.--- They all were standing up--some said they had been standing there for over an hour---I knew Himself could not stand up that long-- I saw a few chairs over in a corner , and walked over to them , hoping to get one for Himself-- On the top chair was a sign saying, "Do not remove chairs"--I took one anyway--and he sat on it-- Everyone else was standing-- Isn't that so silly?--These people waiting for their Lab work were not young--There should have been seating for everyone.
Anyway, after waiting over an hour, Himself finally was told he could enter the Lab office--I was ready to go in with him but was told only 6 people could enter , and if I was one of the 6, some person would not be able to enter--So I waited outside-- I heard they were short staffed--Why??? I also heard that they were closing early. Why?-- And I also heard that the waiting in line, was way worse yesterday---- Why?----
It is very hard to take a 93 year old person to a Lab like this-- --- #1.--He is very slow-- #2, He is not steady on his feet--- #3 He is not able to stand up for so long--so why are there not chairs provided? #4.-- Why is this Blood Lab so short staffed?-- Why do they not have more staff?--
This was not a good experience--- at all! --I watched as many people who had been standing in line for so long, finally "gave up the ship" and left--and there is no other place for blood work in this town--They will have to return and go thru the same thing another day--
I was told that one could book an appointment online--but, even that was shut down--I was told that because they were so short staffed, they were unable to handle the online appointments--
We got it done--but---- It was certainly not a "people friendly " experience--I hope that we never have to go back!
I hope that after going through that process, you receive acceptable results.
ReplyDeleteWhen my parents were alive they had a walker with wheels and a seat. It helped them be more steady when they were out in public and provided a seat when they were where you were today. If you google walker with wheels and seat you'll see images of what I am talking about . . . and they have them for about $100.
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem everywhere, not enough technicians. Plus the bad weather, some people do not come to work.For any number of reasons. Pitiful stuff….I remember this kind of stuff, back when my husband was so sick, not a lot of the bosses cared about the patients. It happens here in Texas, too. So sorry! It is why so many wait to even see a doctor, it makes for a long, miserable day.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you had to endure such a day. Being a "past lab person" I can relate to both sides of the "short staffed" coin. I'm so grateful you and Himself endured and finally got it done. In the end we "all have to do the best we can do & that's all we can do. Perseverance paid off. At least you are now past that challenge. I hope tomorrow is a better day for you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you had such a horrible experience.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to look into getting himself a walker that has a seat so when you are in this type of situation you don't have to worry about him falling. It will also help not worry about him falling at home.
Praying the results come back fast and the doctors can figure out the next step.
Too bad one of your sons could not have driven you to the lab.
Put your feet up this afternoon and relax you both need to do that after the morning you had.
Lord! Sounds like you had such a difficult time w/the blood drawing experience! So sorry. Yes, for sure I’d wonder shy the lab is so short staffed and why not enough seating. And their on-line appt. booking was down?? What a disaster! I agree w/you. I hope that you never have to go back there again.
ReplyDeleteWent w/DD for blood work last Friday. We waited 20 minutes! That’s it. And the lab tech was really nice. So, grateful for a good experience. And hope if you EVER have to go back it’s a better experience.
HUGS and prayers.
Barb
1crazydog
That sounds absolutely horrible. None of these people should have had to stand, and what's up with the short staff issue. HIRE MORE PEOPLE!!! I'm so sorry you and Himself had to go through that.
ReplyDeleteGosh, so sorry about such a bad health-care experience. I wish any politician will dedicate its life and power to make health-care super efficient. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteWhat a hassle... but at least you got it done with ONE visit! Think of those folks who "gave up" and will have a repeat!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely disgusting. Healthcare everywhere is short staffed. I imagine it's even worse up there. Management should be trying to do something about it. It's nice that someone helped himself into the building. Yes, you should get himself a walker. I use one when I go to the big malls, etc. At least you got it done and hopefully you won't have to too long for the results of them and the other test. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I have heard there is no one to hire. No one wants the jobs all. They should have more chairs but staffing there is no one sorry to say.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you and Himself had to go through such a tough time. There is no excuse to not have chairs especially for the elderly. I am glad you did have the tests done and don't have to return. Enjoy your evening.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. Just one of those days.
ReplyDeleteWhat an ordeal....beginning with the bad roads. As others have suggested, a walker with a seat sounds useful in the future. As far as chairs...lab likely put chairs aside due to Covid and their attempts to social distance...just a guess. They certainly need more help in that lab. I am glad you got it done and don't have to go back.
ReplyDeleteHope the rest of your day was much better.
Hugs
It's COVID, and people not wanting to work. Everywhere is short staffed. Here, in Central Ohio, of course, there are plenty of places to get your bloodwork done, usually your doctor's office, but if they send you out, there is Lab Corp, or, the hospital, all of which are close by. How horrid it sounds up there in the middle of nowhere, life does not seem easy there. Ever consider moving to the suburbs somewhere? That's crazy! So sorry.
ReplyDeleteOh my! What a hassle for the two of you. It seems everyone is short staffed and overworked. Hope for a better tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that this was such an ordeal. Seating would have been an excellent thing for those waiting. Maybe they were hoping that some would leave as they did. Both of you must have been exhausted by the time you got home. I pray that tomorrow is a better day.
ReplyDeleteHave a good evening
Beth Mosko
So glad you got there safely and home safely with no falls or accidents. It sounds like a truly bad experience, and I'm so sorry as it's already a stressful time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rough time for everyone! I'm so glad someone took Himself under their wing to get him inside. I hope today is better and do give Himself a hug from all of us here - that way we know you get one too - and you both deserve stars for going through all that. Love you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got that checked off the to-do list in spite of the challenges and made it safely hom.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you had to go thru this at the Lab.
ReplyDeleteWe went Tuesday for our bloodwork at our Lab, when we got there it
was gone.........sign on the parking lot said they were now located
in the Walgreens drug store building..........sigh..........
Much harder to get in and out of and find parking for a man in a wheel chair......then we spent 3.5 hrs. on the phone with the Vet. admin, trying to get our retirement check restarted.
Wow! I am so behind with checking in on you! What with returning from my trip and dealing with my things just being dumped in my newly rehabbed apartment!
ReplyDeleteThis must've been a nightmare for everyone involved! I believe the short staffing is everywhere now. People are afraid they will get the virus. Or they are home taking care of someone who has it.
I am glad it is behind you, and I agree...there should be seating for all who need it. {{{HUGS}}}