Shoshone Medical Center — Local services in Kellogg

I scheduled to covid test yesterday, and called and confirmed that they had received my order from my primary care physician this morning. In that phone call the hospital confirmed that they had received the order from my doctor and that I was on track for a covid test. I arrive and the hospital says that they do not have the order and therefore cannot test me. This is after 20 minutes waiting past my appointment. The lab technician was kind enough to swab me and told me to get the order resent. I immediately go home after my nose swab, call the hospital one more time to verify that I had the correct fax number. The hospital confirms I did have the correct fax number. I call my primary care physician to have them send the order again for a third time, (my primary care physician said she sent it twice last night, then one more time with that last call). They send the order again. I call the hospital immediately and talk to the lab. I asked them to please check the fax machine and that it was coming within 5 minutes. They receive said order and tell me I would have results in an hour. I told them that my doctor had insisted on the PCR test for accuracy. They say that my lab order says i should have a rapid test. I hang up with them and call my doctor again for a fourth time. She says that the paperwork clearly states that it's for PCR. I call the hospital lab back and they say the paperwork clearly states some scientific information that I cannot quote that makes them think that it's for rapid testing. The folks at the hospital offer to call my doctor directly as her phone number is on the letterhead of my order. They said they would take care of it. I call them back approximately 30 minutes later because I have questions about getting my results. I am then told that I have to come back down and fill out a request of information form, (roi) if I want my results. This hospital is having sick people make multiple trips to their hospital and struggles organizing paperwork correctly. (Is the latter a HIPAA violation?) Additionally while their care and concern was definitely noticeable, At one point I had asked to speak to an RN as opposed to a lab technician. I said " I would like to talk to an RN, are you an RN or are you only a lab technician?" To which both times I said this they said they take offense to that and that they go to school and are scientist. I found this very interesting because an RN and a lab technician maybe study similar concepts but ultimately they are different. I studied mathematics and economics to become a history teacher but I don't take offense when someone calls me only a history teacher when they're looking for a math teacher. I'm currently getting ready to drive down and put other people at risk so I can fill out my roi and get my results. I've been in and out of hospitals all my life because I have transposition of the great vessels. This is by far the most unprofessional experience I've ever had with any hospital. I'm not sure what happened but the way it's being handled is absolutely a burden on myself and a threat to the safety of others. The two star rating represents that most of the folks I spoke with were kind except for the very last individual who was a bit snooty. I made sure to be polite in my interaction, Although in the last guys defense I was definitely Fed up. He didn't seem to care about much. I understand HIPAA laws make it very important to protect privacy, but don't you think they should have gave that roi paperwork in the first place as opposed to having someone come down multiple times just to get results for a global pandemic disease that is threatening lives?

Update; I was able to call them and talk to the hospital and they did not want me to come back down. They were able to finish my roi over the phone, and apologize for the problems. I was given the ROI paperwork, but only told to sign and date by the person who gave it to me. They justified the ROI issue by saying that it was a new employee. This raises more concerns about a lack of...

Overall, I am not impressed with my local hospital. When I was a kid, it was fine. The doctors and nurses stayed for a long time and cared about their patients. Now, I honestly can't say that so much.

I came in through the ER with severe vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea via ambulance. Both the EMRs and ER was told I am partially deaf. Apparently this fact was not related to the ER doctor. Ochoa, I believe, is his name. My fiance was able to come in and relay information as I was doing everything I could to just breathe and not lose my non-existent cookies. The doctor kept asking questions with his back turned toward me and then asked my fiance why I didn't answer. He tried to tell the doctor I was just trying to breathe and didn't even give him a chance to mention I might not be hearing him.

The EMTs had already started an IV line and I was informed I was extremely dehydrated. I was also told all my symptoms were those of a Covid positive diagnosis. (I'm not). The ER doctor finally discussed my case with an attending physician and it was decided I would be admitted. I was given medications for nausea and dizziness.

Most of the nurses were fine enough. I was pretty out of it the first day, but I did have a chance to meet Dr. Backman, the attending. He was EXCELLENT!

The nurses in the ER said my fiance could bring my medication dosette so I could have my own meds instead of the hospital providing them. They were provided a list by me and confirmed with my pharmacist.

The first night I didn't have any of my regular medications as I couldn't hold them down. The next morning I was given two medications out of eight. I also have diabetes and my glucose was tested repeatedly, but I was never given anything for it. I mentioned the orher meds to my nurse and she said the two she was giving me were for my blood pressure. I mentioned my diuretics for edema and guess when they finally decided to give those to me. 5:00 PM! Yeah, right.

One nurse kept pushing for me to be discharged because all I had been doing was sleeping and I could do that at home. Yes, I slept, but I also hadn't been diagnosed and was still dizzy and nauseous.

Fortunately, a physical therapist was called in to assess me as this is an area she specializes in. At first she thought I had some loose crystals in my ear, making me dizzy. She treated me for that and it seemed to help some, but it turned out my case was more complicated than that. My eyes couldn't focus and lock so they were moving even when at rest. She and Dr. Backman decided I should stay another night, much to the chagrin of the one nurse.

That night I had my dosette and took my regular medications, but not without resistance on the part of the nursing staff, not to mention the pharmacist who also said no insulin. I don't take insulin, but another drug. l insisted I receive my shot and the conversation had to be documented.

The next day was another round of disagreements regarding medications because the list wasn't consistent. Dr. Backman said I could take what I was supposed to take. The nurses didn't lock up my dosette until that morning.

Eventually when I was discharged, I was given some antibiotics to tide me over until the pharmacy opened. These medications were expired and the nurse told me they were probably still fine.

Expired medications, inconsistent information and communication, and argumentative nurses did not make for a pleasant weekend.

By the way, I have a medical background and a Masters degree in Social Work, so I am more than familiar with patients rights and believe in patient advocacy. This is not how a hospital should be managed.

Incidentally, I was finally diagnosed with a very deep ear infection that damaged my vestibular nerve. My brain now has to recalibrate itself so I can maintain balance. It made the room spin and gave me double vision. Going home at that time was not a safe option as I didn't have enough assistance...

I could hear nurses and doctors talking crap about the patients. I went in because my doctors told me to, in severe pain in my right shoulder and ribs, and neck and half my face going numb, I told them about my other health conditions and that crutches I have been using probably caused me to injure myself and all they did was move my arm around and tell me to go home is .I still have chest pain and hurts when I breathe in and still in severe pain. Called my nurse is again to tell them what they did and they wanted me to call the paramedics but I'm afraid to because I will just be sent back to the hospital that didn't do anything or even check for something serious they didn't listen to me when I said I have super tachycardia they didn't even bother checking my heart. If anything happens to me please send me to kootenai!!!! Not to mention my blood pressure was at 150/94 way above my normal. So let's hope i don't have a heart attack thanks Shoshone for nothing. My arm and hand are still numb and tingly. Also the doctor was rude!!! And apparently you have to be crying before they believe you. I heard them say in the hall that I wasn't even crying so I must not be in pain. Very unprofessional worst hospital ever. If anything happens to any of you don't go there tell people to take you...