No matter how civil and reasonable you are, there's always a dcum poster to imagine you as a terrible parent with a bad attitude, then post the accusations as if they're truth. Just ignore them.

Specialists are difficult to find. I know that. You know that. The other posters are oblivious. Ignore them too.

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP, when my child was molested, the police took us to childrens for an examination...

Best wishes to you and your child, PP.

I'm sorry OP. Right now, my kids are okay (knock on wood), but my first child had some pretty serious issues her first year and we went to Childrens' too. I don't have any specific gripes to talk about here, but I know that when you are trying to get help for your kid, the barriers that are thrown up are stressful, rage-inducing sometimes, and just would sometimes make me break down in tears. I would be irritated with any service professional who did what you describe (waste a bunch of my time - like when I have to deal with my auto insurance, etc.), but when it's combined with the stress of needing help for your kid, it just compounds it.

We are not automatons. While it would be great to be zen and just breeze by stress, everyone is not that way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

Because there is an array of top quality specialists out there who work on rare genetic disorders? I can just choose from multiple specialists in DC? Are you joking?

Yes, this was a sarcasm fail. Sorry about that (but you did make my point well)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

Please list the dedicated pediatric hospitals in the area to which you are referring.

I think that is PP's point. There are no others in the immediate area. So her message seems to be just put up and shut up.

Most unfortunate, but from what I am hearing Children's seems to be behaving a bit like a monopoly--no incentive to improve its horrendous administrative problems because patients have few altenatives and in a number of specialties there are none.

Anonymous wrote:I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

Please list the dedicated pediatric hospitals in the area to which you are referring.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

Because there is an array of top quality specialists out there who work on rare genetic disorders? I can just choose from multiple specialists in DC? Are you joking?

And, of course, no waiting lists.

Hey OP, when my child was molested, the police took us to childrens for an examination. We were there for 9 hours, maybe 6 in the waiting room and 3 being shuffled around various rooms. They had no idea what to do with us. They took her blood and told me they were testing for stds an that we should start her on prophylactic antiretrovirals. They said they would have HIV results in 3 days. I said, I didn't think they could test so soon and they assured me there were new tests I didn't know about. We made it home at 4 am.

3 days later, desperate and anxious I called for results and was told those tests would have just been baseline and that we should schedule to come in 6 weeks for an actual test. FUCK YOU childrens national. Then I got a bill in the mail for $3400 because they had never taken our insurance.

Kid is fine btw. Thank god. But I thought that story might make you all feel better. I pray to never have to return there.

Wishing you the best for your kid OP.

Anonymous wrote:I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

Because there is an array of top quality specialists out there who work on rare genetic disorders? I can just choose from multiple specialists in DC? Are you joking?

Anonymous wrote:I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

I posted on the other thread, but if I could still get to CHOP easily, I would go there in a heartbeat over Children's National here in DC. Night and day.

That sounds super annoying, OP. Sorry for the frustration. I hope your child is ok. It must be very stressful.

I suggest that all you parents who hate Children's so much take your business elsewhere, to one of the other dedicated pediatric hospitals with an identical array of highly specialized pediatric specialists and equipment.

Anonymous wrote:Stop blaming the admin person. They have rules, regulations they are given and MUST follow. I understand your frustration but it's the system and, unfortunately, we all have to learn to live with the seemingly ridiculous and stupid protocols.

Another mom with a child at Children's, I agree with this. I wonder if there is so variety in the Departments? We are in the hematology/oncology dept (both in patient and out) and have had very few issues.

We have had luck getting our fellow to help out with scheduling and other issues.

Anonymous wrote:Stop blaming the admin person. They have rules, regulations they are given and MUST follow. I understand your frustration but it's the system and, unfortunately, we all have to learn to live with the seemingly ridiculous and stupid protocols.

I'm not "blaming the admin person" and I'm not being "bitchy." I don't like Children's National Medical Center.

Wow, I would be frustrated by this in any situation, but when it involves the health of your kid, I would be even more so. Is there any place you can give feedback? Twitter often motivates companies to do better. They should be aware of this because it's in their best interests for the parents to be calm and relaxed, not stressed.

Hang in there and all best to your daughter!