ELDERLY PATIENTS NEED HELPING HANDS DURING VISITS TO DOCTOR
DEAR CR-ABBY:
DEAR CR-ABBY:
I work in a doctor's office where some of our elderly patients are dropped off by a transportation company. These patients often have no one with them or meeting them in the office.
If the person is coherent, it's not a problem. But when the patient isn't, then he or she is unable to fill out the forms or give us insurance information.
If the person is coherent, it's not a problem. But when the patient isn't, then he or she is unable to fill out the forms or give us insurance information.
Sometimes the people may not even know why they are in our office. Of course, this means they are unable to discuss their problem with the doctor. We assist these patients as much as we can, helping them fill out the forms, etc., but this is a busy office, and it causes other patients to be delayed as well as the doctor.
We don't blame the transportation services, but we are asking that someone accompany the patient and be prepared to fill out our forms even if the patient has been there before because the information must be updated every year.
If the patient has a designated power of attorney, then that's who should accompany the patient and be sure to bring the power of attorney papers along.
It's heartbreaking to see this scenario. We can't provide proper care if the patient can't communicate the problem to us and the doctor. I hope nursing homes and loved ones will read this and do what's best for the patient. -- AN OFFICE THAT CARES IN PENNSYLVANIA
We don't blame the transportation services, but we are asking that someone accompany the patient and be prepared to fill out our forms even if the patient has been there before because the information must be updated every year.
If the patient has a designated power of attorney, then that's who should accompany the patient and be sure to bring the power of attorney papers along.
It's heartbreaking to see this scenario. We can't provide proper care if the patient can't communicate the problem to us and the doctor. I hope nursing homes and loved ones will read this and do what's best for the patient. -- AN OFFICE THAT CARES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Dear Forms over Function in Philly,
If you really cared, you'd treat patients regardless of their ability to "fill out forms". which apparently has become the number one health care treatment in America "Creative Writing on Health Care Forms". Interesting to me that some patients arrive without knowledge of why they are there, which to me smells like code for Insurance Fraud.
The reason we sons and daughters of elderly patients aren't in the waiting room (a better name never given to this tomb of care) is because if we take too much time off work we'll lose our own health care insurance.
Try to do a little Zen meditation and place yourself in a mental state beyond the form stamping cubicle clerk you are in...and then re-read your letter.
"Without the forms properly filled out we CANNOT TREAT them"!
My indictment is complete!
Health Care costs continue to rise twice the average inflation rate for all other goods and services...why?
Because you are in the form filling out business and no longer in the Health Care business.
Blow Me. (and I mean that in the kindest manner imaginable)...is there a form for that?
Cr-Abby
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