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Posted 12/9/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday, I took my son to the lab for his blood work. I checked first to make sure they were open. we arrived witrh 10 minutes left in business hours. As soon as we walked in the door, the tech looked at the clock, gave a huge sigh of disgust, and proceeded to tell me how inconsiderate I was. She then told me that from now on, I was to keep in mind that the sample had to spin for 20 minutes and sit for 10, meaning that she couldn't lock up and leave.  When we were done I sent my boy to the car. I then turned around and let her have it. I explained that my boy has a lifelong condition that rquires blood tests, and she was never going to make him feel like his illness was an imposition on her again. I said that the next time he came in, she was going to be pleasant and professional, she would pronounce his name right, and she would ask him how he was, and what he had been up to. I told her that if she was going to stop doing her job 1/2hour before closing, then she should put it on the recording. I told her she was an ******, then I left. When I got home, I called her boss and told her what had happened. Apparently, an email had already been sent by the tech, telling her side, and saying she was sorry. Not good enough. I want an apology by the tech to my son, not from her boss to me. I live in a small town with one lab. I explained that I don't want my son to deal with this woman ever again. The supervisor asked when our next appointment was, and I said that we come in on an ad-hoc basis. I don't want to see this B*&%#  ever when we go to the lab.  I am absolutely enraged by what my son had to go through
Posted 12/9/2010 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Um, we have had a similar experience where we live although we are in a big city and have many options for getting labs drawn. However, we prefer to go to the peds lab.

One specific tech was a problem both at the peds lab and then again at the main lab for us. Like you we came in close to closing when there was no one else there and the tech was rude and went out of his way to be unhelpful. We actually had to leave without doing the labs because he refused to draw most of them due to a minor technicality.

The next day we went to the regular peds lab and did the labs. I told the person there about our experiences with this tech. She had me write a complaint and turned it in for me. I also called patient relations and told them.

The guy has been fired and I am satisfied. My son didn't take it personally - we've had other experiences with medical providers who were less than helpful and he knows it's about them - not him.

Unfortunately there are a lot of jerks in the world. Sounds like you found one. Glad you complained. Sorry it brought you and your son so much distress.

Have you taken your son for a 2nd opinion at a major Pediatric IBD center? It sure sounds like he would benefit from it if you did.

Patricia
Posted 12/9/2010 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Wow is all I can say! That was rude, glad to hear you spoke up and complained. That kind of behavoiur is absolutely on called for. Hugs!
Posted 12/9/2010 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure if it's available where you are, but by me you can make an appointment for labwork. (I go to quest labs) Even if there's a roomful of people waiting, you're taken back when it's your time.

I'm going to premise this by saying that you should never have been talked to like that, nor should your son, and in NO way am I condoning her actions (nor am I trying to make you feel bad about complaining about her, because you definitely should have!). I kind of understand where the tech was coming from though. I work as an xray tech, and at my last job, we were open until 5. If someone came in at 4:59 for an exam, they kept 3 people from leaving at 5. They had to be registered, xrayed, and the nurse had to be there until the last patient left. We had a couple patients who came in regularly at the last moment, and it got aggravating. Not to mention that they weren't quick patients, they were the ones who took some time to get their exam done. I NEVER would say anything to the patient though. I might request that they come 15 minutes earlier next time if they didn't mind, or suggest that they come when there is 1 more tech working to help us out (some patients are far easier when there are 2 people to take care of them) but never would I make someone feel bad, because they are the reason I have a job.

Some people just don't have any tact though, and their thoughts come out of their mouths like diarrhea. I wonder sometimes, if you're that type of person, why in the world would you go into healthcare?
Posted 12/9/2010 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and sorry for you and your son that you had to deal with such a B&$%$! Having this disease is enough, let alone dealing with rude people when you have to have labs or other tests done.
Posted 12/9/2010 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
that is nuts. You would thing some ppl would have more compasion. They really ought to take a class on that. Some Dr's need to take that class too!
Posted 12/9/2010 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for the support folks.
Becky- we weren't walking through the door at 1 minute til. we had 10 minutes, we had our requisition in hand, my boy was ready to go. the procedure, once started was less than three minutes. we had time to be out of there before four. I would never think of coming in at 3:59. that would be tactless and tact is exactly what this woman was missing. maybe she should work in the lab, not at the collecton office. I have never heard of any business open to the public, where closing time is quitting time. isn't there always a shut down period to be considered? if not, then, like I said, put it on your recording that you don't want to see anyone for the last half hour that you're open. I did mention the half hour work window to the supervisor.
Posted 12/9/2010 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
RIGHT ON BOB!!

Making a kid feel bad, he deserves a wack up the side of his head, no two or three!!

Also, you are a paying customer. He has a job because of you.

He is selfish, insentive, a bully and stupid.

I am getting mad for you and your child. I hope he gets fired. It is clear he does not like his terms of emmployment.

David

 

Posted 12/9/2010 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes you wonder if one do not like their job, then why the heck are they doing it. I have to admit sometimes I play a little game (in my head) about what is going on in their lives to make them act so crappy. Unless it was really out of line, then I do the standard questions about, what are you doing when you get off work tonight?
I mean especially as someone who worked in law enforcement how would they like if I walked off when the end of shift hit? What exactly is it you are suppose to tell that victim, sorry I am off the clock. I absolutely expect that back from other professionals, they should know better that people do not exist to make their lives worse it is the nature of the work one has choosen. Sometimes I have to wonder when the leo/military is going to leak out and say "Listen do your ____ing job."
Posted 12/9/2010 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not saying you were wrong, just saying what I've thought. Granted, I've just thought that. I didn't mean to accuse you of anything.

Yes, there is some amount of closing that has to be done, but usually your hours are until closing, not past that time. Hospitals assume you won't have a patient at 5, so you'll be doing all the prep for closing leading up to closing time. So for example, a person would work 8:30 till 5, and if there is a patient that keeps you late, you just have to work late. It's part of being a closing person though. You just know that some days you get everything done, wait until 5, then leave, and others you get everything done, but have a patient and have to reclean and shut down and go home late. Where I worked before we would just come in late if we worked late during the week and were going to be on overtime because we weren't allowed overtime.

I'm sure everyone, in their job has thought "ugh, I don't want to do that" about something. Though I do enjoy my job, there are times I wish I didn't have to do anything. I'm just being honest.

I do agree that she should be in a lab rather than dealing with people. It's like going to a fast food place and having rude employees taking care of you. I always wonder "why are you working here?" There are so many jobs for people who can't bite their tongue.

I also wonder how long this lady has been working there, and how she can still have a job if this is how she treats people. It just seems logical that this (or something similar) has happened before, so how can she still be working there? If I had ever talked to a patient and they reported me, I'd have lost my job.
Posted 12/9/2010 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
monkiray - It is simple. The job has expected performance. Work, hours, the way you treat others... This is a contract between an employee and an employer. If the employee does not like or wish to perform the known duties during the known time (sometimes after 5), then he should quite. It has nothing to do with Bob or his child. And when be behaves the way he did he broke the contract. He should be fired.
I am sure you have been frustrated. I bet and hope that you would never take out your frustration on a chlid. IMHO there is no justification on any level
Dave
Posted 12/9/2010 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I agree! Even if I had a screaming child and was fed up, there's no way I'd take my frustration out on them or their parents. That goes for any patient. Even though there are tests I don't like doing, I do them because it's part of my job. It all comes with the territory of working in healthcare. Some people are a delight to deal with, others aren't. If you can't deal with it, you shouldn't work in healthcare!

Some people also shouldn't work with kids. Unfortunately you can't check in and ask "are you good with kids?"

Seriously, I wasn't trying to say that she was justified in her actions. I completely think she was wrong.

Also, I wasn't asking to be attacked just because I stated my opinion, so please just take what I said with a grain of salt. I was just trying to tell another perspective. It's hard working somewhere that you could leave at 5, or be there until 6 or even 7 depending on when people come in. It's hard to make plans if your job is like that. But like I said, it comes with the territory. I personally never really cared, unless I made plans and really needed to leave on time. Even then, I never made plans that I couldn't change depending on work flow.

Bob, if you do go back and she is still there, I'd definitely ask for another tech to do your son's labs. Hopefully she's not there, but you can always ask for another person so you don't have to deal with her again.
Posted 12/9/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Lab management says that whoever owns/runs the lab should list their closing time as 4:30 p.m. If it takes an additional 30 mintues to prepare the lab specimin that gives everyone who works there enough time to leave by 5:00 pm and the outside doors can close at 4:30 pm. and no one is late for anything! Doesn't excuse the lab tech who was rude and unprofessional and should never have talked to you and your boy like that. But, it does help prevent incidents like that in the future, as anyone trying to get there after 4:30 would be unable to get lab work. Maybe a talk with the lab manager/owner would help.
Posted 12/10/2010 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
OMG, that was SO rude!!!! Good thing you complained. I have worked in health care and would never have said anything like that to a patient. If she had to work OT because of draws close to closing time, she should have taken that up with her supervisor. You were a client and your son was a child. It'll come back to her for being nasty like that. What a b---h. Sorry you and your son were treated like that.
Posted 12/10/2010 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Wayyyyyyyyy toooooooooooo goooooooooooo CB. Glad you let her have it.
Posted 12/10/2010 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Monkiray,
I am sorry you felt attacked. I think alot of us know that it just comes with the territory of working that kind of job. The fact that she whined about doing her job in front of a customer (especially an underage customer), and in an era when having a job is a privilege, just seems more then a little unprofessional and certainly not something most people would do.

Furthermore, I am sure you know this (and I am mainly just saying it as a verbalization of what I have felt in the past) that when one is chronically ill and in pain (especially when one is as disenfranchised as a sick child is) that every needle stick, touch (because it hurts), etc. (especially that of a stranger) feels like a violation of one's person and personal space and I think sometimes too many people forget that.      
Hugs,
Navy
Posted 12/10/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I think Becky knows that this is not a case of painting all techs with the same brush. more than anything, this is a parent protecting a child. It is an isolated incident involving a child with an illness and an adult that is where she should not be, whether on that day, or career wise.
Posted 12/10/2010 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
monkiray - I would not attach you or anyone else. I hope you did not feeel i was.
David
Posted 12/11/2010 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you David. I appreciate that.

Maybe what I wrote didn't come across as I intended it. I just meant to say I can understand where the thought process comes from, but I would NEVER talk to a patient like that. In fact, I was talking to my coworkers today about what happened to Bob and his son, and it turns out that something similar happened at the facility I was working at. Apparently a patient came in at 10 till closing and asked if they were still drawing labs. The lab tech told her no, not knowing that a member of administration happened to be within earshot. She was fired!

Oh, and I completely agree...I was unemployed for a year and a half and just recently started working again, so I am SO thankful to have a job. I don't care what hours I'm needed or where I need to drive to, I'll do it!

It's sad to me that people who really don't care about people work in professions where it means a lot that you care that the person you're dealing with is frustrated, not feeling well, and just needs a little patience. I sometimes wonder...when did people just stop caring about other people? Can't we all "treat others as you'd like to be treated"?

And Bob, if I didn't tell you before, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I can't imagine what it must be like to be the parent of a sick child.
Posted 12/11/2010 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
You gave the tech a "black eye". Now let it go. The tech has learned a lesson about how to deal with the public. The boy has learned how not to let people walk on him and how to stand up for your kid. And now you need to learn to let it go for a couple of reasons. First it is bad for your health and Second to forgive is golden.
Maybe the lab tech just found out her kid has CD or her dog died or whatever! Poor thing has to live with herself for the rest of her life. You only need to see her dumb butt once in awhile. You did good now let it go. Just my advice.
Posted 12/11/2010 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
You've probably risked this woman's job.

Not something I could do with an easy conscience for various reasons.

Edit: FunGuy said it all! (His post wasn't there before I posted.)
Posted 12/12/2010 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry. I am glad you stood up for your son. I am a grown woman with crohns and miss having a mom to help me battle the rudeness out there for those of us who are at the mercy of the greedy monsters who only think of themselves. There are many people out of work who would be happy to work the full day. I hope they let her go.
Posted 12/12/2010 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
Man, sorry you and your kid had to deal with that.  Just reading through this whole discussion, it brings up so many more issues, dichotomies if you will, about why things are they way they are with the younger generations, that's another thread.

It did also get me thinking, how pleasant everyone has been that I have had dealings with so far.

Posted 12/13/2010 2:59 PM (GMT 0)

NiceCupOfTea said...
You've probably risked this woman's job.

Not something I could do with an easy conscience for various reasons.

Edit: FunGuy said it all! (His post wasn't there before I posted.)

No, I did not risk this womans job. She did. I did nothing wrong. She made a sick child feel guilty for being sick on her time. If she found out her dog died, go home! if she found out her kid has Crohn's, treat a child with Crohn's how she wants her child treated. My concience is clear.
Posted 12/13/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,
No one can deny that the lab tech acted in an unprofessional manner and you have every right to defend and advocate for your son.
I think NCOT was just wondering about if there was a reason why this woman acted the way she did, because maybe she had to get home to change out with her own son's nurse because her son might need around the clock nursing care. One never knows... not that it excuses her behavior.
Take care,
Navy
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