Switching Dr.s at SG

[Anonymous]

I like my RE at SG but my cycles have been less than smooth. My nurse also tends to confuse things , like what meds I'm on or where I am in my cycle . I am looking at other local clinics, but I wondered if anyone has had experience getting a second opinion from another SG doc. I'm not sure where to start or who to talk too.

Also, my DH is frustrated that SG has "confused" my medications a number of times and at least twice a week forgets that I have a latex allergy (which I remind so I don't die). He wants to speak to an administrator since our nurse brushes off concerns . Who would we speak to?

[Anonymous]

I would write an email/letter complaining. Seriously, even if insurance picked up every cost, you as a patient should not be treated like this. I had similar things happen to me at SG, including one incident where they *forgot* to call me with results the day before Christmas. I was PG but baby was struggling (did not make it) and I was sure that the stress of not knowing results for days did not help. After I wrote the scathing letter, they had me switch nurses and I was treated much better. Now PG with #2 from them.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!!! Who did you address your letter to?

[Anonymous]

I agree that you should try to switch your nurse as a first step. I would also try calling the Rockville office. I think there is someone who has a title like "patient liaison" or something along those lines whose job it is to deal with stuff like this. Just tell them you are having some issues with your care and wanted to speak with someone about it. Unfortunately I don't remember a name. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I switched doctors and nurses at SG and it made a big difference. I just called up the front desk, asked for the switch, and they did it without any issues.

[Anonymous]

Switch nurses. My first nurse was a nightmare and my second nurse was wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Switch nurses. My first nurse was a nightmare and my second nurse was wonderful.

+1. Switch nurses ASAP and tell them why you want to switch. My first nurse was horrible. She actually had me in tears on multiple occasions because she was downright mean. I switched nurses and had a wonderful experience.

[Anonymous]

I've specifically requested other nurses and I switched docs. Not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Which SGF office? And I say call the VP of Development and/or the Executive Director.

Everyone at SGF is friends with someone else so they mask the complaints.

I asked for a second opinion on something - not to switch from my horrible doctor - and the horrible doctor told me I could find another clinic if I didn't like what she was telling me.

Insane problems with SGF - I got pregnant but I'm still mad. My insurance is reconsidering having them as a center of excellence.

Just because we want to have a child doesn't mean we should be treated poorly. It's still medical care.

[Anonymous]

I got treated like 100 carat gold at SG compared to my overbooked, overcrowded OB's office. I then switched to a MFM and experienced the same overbooked, overcrowded lateness as at previous OB. I wish SG ran an OB center for its grads.

[Anonymous]

When you switch nurses, don't they talk (gossip) about you and why you switched? I'm considering asking for a switch (see my recent post on nurse responsiveness at SGF) but am worried I'll get a 'reputation' or be treated like a pariah if I ask to switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you switch nurses, don't they talk (gossip) about you and why you switched? I'm considering asking for a switch (see my recent post on nurse responsiveness at SGF) but am worried I'll get a 'reputation' or be treated like a pariah if I ask to switch.

This is my concern too. My nurse drives me insane (mostly because she never explains anything and I have to pry information out of her), but she's never screwed up my protocol or something like that.

[Anonymous]

The nurse makes all the difference. I can say Debs is absolutely wonderful. Excellent with her response time, very knowledgeable, and incredibly caring. She follows up with the little details too.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you may need to switch Dr's which in turn would automatically switch your nurse. I did this when I felt that my Dr. wanted to over medicate me on my cycle and it made me uncomfortable. I called the patient liason and they were extremely supportive and I was switched with no issue. They asked who I wanted to switch to (so have a dr. in mind or they can make recommendations). It happens to the Drs and nurses all the time so don't overthink doing it.

[Anonymous]

I was worried about being labeled a difficult patient too. I did switch nurses but did not switch doctors, in part because I was worried about what the new doctor would think. (It was SO clear that I needed to switch nurses that I was less worried about that.) I will say now, though, that with some distance, I think that worry was silly. Maybe the nurses talked about me, but I got better care with the second one. So whatever the first one said didn't impact my care. The doctors are used to people switching for all sorts of reasons -- I doubt they care enough, honestly, to talk about you negatively to the other doctor.