Medical care, and complaints

[Ed62]

As long as we're on the "complaint/compliment" issue, I thought I'd ask this question. Have you/would you complain about people working in a hospital if they were rude to you? Would you make a compliment to a worker's boss about them if you were impressed with them?

I used to take my mother in law for blood tests at least once a month, and more often, two or three times a month. We always went to the same hospital for the blood draws. She had an exceptionally low tolerance for pain, and it was obvious when she would get stuck with a needle. One girl, in particular, always tried to be the one to draw her blood. She was very compassionate, and always made my mother in law feel a little better. I wrote a nice letter to the administration. In a matter of a few weeks, she was promoted to a supervisor. Undoubtedly, they had been considering her for the position, but I always thought my letter might have helped the decision along.

A new girl took her place drawing blood. She was rude to the point that I wrote another letter to administration. It was immediately taken care of by the higher ups. We never had another problem with her. This hospital really does care what the patients/families think about their service. It's really worth it to give feedback at places that care.

Ed

[LCHIEN]

maybe on some level it was an application of the Peter principle to get the compassionate blood-drawer a promotion. Then your mom had to deal with the less compassionate replacement.

[Uncle Cracker]

I'd be less inclined to complain about rude treatment in a hospital while I was still there, but definitely would seek out an administrator afterward.

[Ed62]

I'd be less inclined to complain about rude treatment in a hospital while I was still there, but definitely would seek out an administrator afterward.

But what if it's more than rude behavior? If the hospital is worth having, they'll take care of whatever problem you're having. You shouldn't have to put up with poor care or rudeness.

Ed

[smorris]

I had a blood drawer a while back who was unable to do the job. She stuck me so many times trying to get a vein I finally asked if I should have brought a shovel. She left the room and the next one stuck once and that was it. The vampires have always said I had good veins for a draw.

[cabinetman]

I try to stay out of hospitals. The few bad experiences I've had I did report to supervisors. UC is right, make sure you can walk out before you complain.
.

[jackellis]

My wife's veins collapse so getting blood out of her is always a chore. Keep in mind, though, that we all have different talents. Some nurses are naturals at drawing blood just like some folks are natural artists and some are natural wood workers. As long as the nurse (or whowever it happens to be) isn't rude, go easy on the complaints. Most of them don't feel good about turning patients into pincushions.

[Uncle Cracker]

But what if it's more than rude behavior? If the hospital is worth having, they'll take care of whatever problem you're having. You shouldn't have to put up with poor care or rudeness.

I agree totally, but since your original post singled out rudeness, rather than something more serious, that's how I answered. I don't want my meds or other critical care handled by somebody who's angry with me because I just ratted them out to their boss for being grumpy... Something with more immediacy, now that's different.

[tseavoy]

Some years ago, my wife, who had atrial fibrillation, went to a cardiac specialist who was extremely rude and possibly unethical. She was so incensed that she wrote a long letter to the head of the cardiac group about her treatment. This resulted in an apologetic letter from the group head, a call from the doctor apologizing (sort of) and a letter to her primary care physician.
She went to another cardiac group after that.

Tom on Marrowstone