GW vs WHC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right now GW MFA is a disaster for scheduling because they’ve been hit with two whammies: a completely new system for both scheduling and patient records, and the simultaneous loss of half their ultrasound techs. Things should be better starting in late January or February, as they are getting a couple techs back, and they’ll have had more time with their new system.

I hope the loss of techs isn't due to the covid vax requirement kicking in...

Does anyone know, when you're required to have fluid checks with each NST will that happen without these techs? They didn't schedule me separately for an ultrasound with those.

Yes, fluid checks should be included in the NST appointment (had this exact conversation with my midwife this morning).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a GW apologist- they are incredibly frustrating to deal with right now. I'm in my 3rd trimester doing weekly visits right now, and I'm not going to switch because I have an extremely high risk pregnancy with expected delivery complications, and I want to deliver in GW hospital, where I know I will have the highest level of care. I went to GW for my last two pregnancies, and was very happy with them. Now, less so, and I totally understand people who are frustrated with the level of service right now.

Some more background I got from my doctor:
* GW MFA just switched to the EPIC (spelling?) patient system, which means they are now on the most widely used patient record system in the country. So if you see a doctor in, say, Virginia, and then transfer to GW, your OB will most likely be able to access all your old records.
* the transfer process from the old system to the new is awful. Basically your doctor has to pull up your old records in the old system, which now has limited functionality, and information has to be imported, I believe manually, into the new. So your first couple appointments on the new system are going to suck, and many appointments are running long, which is leading to long wait times.
* My doctor outsourced my next two ultrasounds to the GWU hospital, because I couldn't get an appointment with the remaining techs at MFA. GWUH was able to fit me in, but I don't know if they'll be able to accommodate all the overflow from MFA.

Reviving this old thread to provide an update. When I posted this before, I was able to get my remaining ultrasound appointments with GWUH. Today, the DAY BEFORE MY ULTRASOUND, GWUH called and informed me that they are cancelling ALL of my ulltrasound appointments, including the one tomorrow, and had no suggestions to assist me with finding another appointment elsewhere.

So, I'd steer clear. I just had an ugly frustrated cry in my office, and I am not an office crier.

[Anonymous]

I've just had a similar experience. GW's MFM just called to cancel my 15 week appointment (first 2nd trimester appointment), last minute and they have no other openings till January when I'll be 18-19 weeks. They originally had another opening for this afternoon but then they canceled that because the doctor (same doctor who canceled my 15 week appointment) didn't want to wait around till then. And then I was told that they may be able to get me in after Christmas if the same doctor decides to return early from vacation. Wtf!!!!

I'm trying to transfer my medical records to find another provider and get a referral, but dealing with GW'S bureaucracy is horrible and nerve wracking. Heck, they can't even manage to sign me up yet with Baby Scripts, after I submitted forms twice and called twice.

Like the PP, I've been in tears after GW'S call.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend trying GW MFA in Bethesda or see if Dr.DeSouza (part of MFA) is accepting new patients. Sorry you all are having to deal with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've just had a similar experience. GW's MFM just called to cancel my 15 week appointment (first 2nd trimester appointment), last minute and they have no other openings till January when I'll be 18-19 weeks. They originally had another opening for this afternoon but then they canceled that because the doctor (same doctor who canceled my 15 week appointment) didn't want to wait around till then. And then I was told that they may be able to get me in after Christmas if the same doctor decides to return early from vacation. Wtf!!!!

I'm trying to transfer my medical records to find another provider and get a referral, but dealing with GW'S bureaucracy is horrible and nerve wracking. Heck, they can't even manage to sign me up yet with Baby Scripts, after I submitted forms twice and called twice.

Like the PP, I've been in tears after GW'S call.

I'm the first updated just above you. I managed to get in at Washington Radiology for my ultrasounds, you may want to try them. I'm already 34 weeks in an extremely high risk pregnancy, so I'm not going to change providers despite this clusterf*** of an experience with ultrasounds. But you're early enough that it may make sense for you?
Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

VHC/AWC has wonderful MFMs for anyone who can make it out to Arlington. Fantastic L&D and postpartum nurses too. And I never had any trouble booking an appointment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend trying GW MFA in Bethesda or see if Dr.DeSouza (part of MFA) is accepting new patients. Sorry you all are having to deal with this.

Bethesda isn't any better. They told me I can skip one of my third trimester appointment even though I have a high risk pregnancy because its impossible to get an appointment at the end of December.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GW has been terrible for me. Every appointment has been messed up. When I showed up for an appointment I was told my ultrasound was double booked and I could not be seen. My last appointment was cancelled the day before I was supposed to have it and I was told it was “a fake appointment that never existed.” I’ve been going to the Betheada location and the front desk lady is extremely rude and the wait times are long. I’ve been trying to leave but can’t get my medical records! Would not recommend.

Just switch to DeSouza. He’s part of the MFA but delivers the majority of his babies at Sibley. His office staff is incredible. All my appointments were on time and easy. I never had an issue with scheduling and never was on hold for more than a few minutes. After my first at GW it was a breath of fresh air.

Is DeSouza a good option if you're high risk?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GW has been terrible for me. Every appointment has been messed up. When I showed up for an appointment I was told my ultrasound was double booked and I could not be seen. My last appointment was cancelled the day before I was supposed to have it and I was told it was “a fake appointment that never existed.” I’ve been going to the Betheada location and the front desk lady is extremely rude and the wait times are long. I’ve been trying to leave but can’t get my medical records! Would not recommend.

Just switch to DeSouza. He’s part of the MFA but delivers the majority of his babies at Sibley. His office staff is incredible. All my appointments were on time and easy. I never had an issue with scheduling and never was on hold for more than a few minutes. After my first at GW it was a breath of fresh air.

Is DeSouza a good option if you're high risk?

I was high risk and saw DeSouza as my OB and a MFM at Sibley. They were fantastic together. Dr.DeSouza came to every appointment having read notes from the MFM at Sibley. I had a terrible experience with WHC and hope to never have to go back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GW has been terrible for me. Every appointment has been messed up. When I showed up for an appointment I was told my ultrasound was double booked and I could not be seen. My last appointment was cancelled the day before I was supposed to have it and I was told it was “a fake appointment that never existed.” I’ve been going to the Betheada location and the front desk lady is extremely rude and the wait times are long. I’ve been trying to leave but can’t get my medical records! Would not recommend.

Just switch to DeSouza. He’s part of the MFA but delivers the majority of his babies at Sibley. His office staff is incredible. All my appointments were on time and easy. I never had an issue with scheduling and never was on hold for more than a few minutes. After my first at GW it was a breath of fresh air.

Is DeSouza a good option if you're high risk?

I was high risk and saw DeSouza as my OB and a MFM at Sibley. They were fantastic together. Dr.DeSouza came to every appointment having read notes from the MFM at Sibley. I had a terrible experience with WHC and hope to never have to go back! [/quote

Same here. I had the MFMs at Sibley and DeSouza was my OB. It was such a better experience than my first delivery at GW, which has been a sh-tshow
with their admins and scheduling and wait times and med students for years and years.