George

The doctor said to be there at 9:30 am. I was there a little before that. They put me in a cubicle until 2:30. So after 4 hours I,m finally called for my epidural at 2:30. I was ready to leave before all this started about 12:30 , but I thought I would get stuck for the hospital bill, so I awaited. Anyhow after an hour of recovery I got released after another hour. I have to go to the doctors office in 2 weeks. I’m thinking of dumping this guy or do I stick it out and except that maybe it wasn’t his fault. I’ll probably have to get this done every year because of my illness. What would you do? Thanks

BHG6

I'd tell the Dr. to go piss up a rope and find a new one. Of course, I would've left by 10:30 if it were me. Small delays are understandable but 4-5 hours is inexcusable.

OldRailfan

Depends on the choices you have in your region.

Lucillle

Perhaps the doctor ran into a patient that unexpectedly needed a lot more time. I'd hope he would do the same for you.

philbob57

Agreed - emergencies and time estimates that are too low screw up schedules, but I think it's worth discussing with both your doc and your hospital. The hospital may provide compensation if you object the right way, although it might be a long, slow process. I was once charged for 4.5 hours in recovery instead of 1.5-2 after surgery at umpteen hundred dollars/quarter hour because the SOBs had no regular room available, even though the surgery and room had been arranged weeks earlier.

indyfabz

COVID-related delay?

shelbyfv

I had a dermatologist who didn't see me until 30 minutes after the appointment time. Every time, 30 minutes, so obviously her SOP, not a one off. I didn't much care for her anyway so I moved on. This was all pre Covid. Got to give medical folks a lot of slack right now, asking too much of them.

George

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was wondering about the the delay as well, but I thought someone could have said something while I waited.

355Mono

I was waiting 3 hours before my hernia surgery. The doctor came in to say I'm up soon, and I demanded he go tell my wife we hadn't started yet, so she wouldn't worry. I was stuck, and wouldn't have had the guts to walk out, after all the arrangements I'd made for time off, etc. My follow up was great, no waiting, and he gave me his cell phone before surgery, to call him directly with any concerns. So, maybe hang in there, and see what happens next year. i'm a dentist, and I highly value my patients time. I expect the same from other health professionals, but understand it's not always that way.

George

I think that’s what I’m going to do. Thanks

Artmo 

They should have at least explained the reason for the delay or after 30-45 minutes’ you should have asked why you were being kept waiting..

George

Yes I did ask several times and they said they didn’t want to comment there self
. That even pissed me off more. I tell you, when I left I was fit to be tied

BobbyG

Regardless of the reason for the delay...some one should have popped in periodically to check on you and let you know what was going on...unless you fell through the cracks and they forgot about you.

locolobo13 

After an hour past the time something like, "I can't stay much longer. Do we need to reschedule?"

If I was mad more like, "I'm going to take a walk, here's my phone number. Please call me about 30 min before he needs me."

After 2-3 hrs it's more like, "Sorry. Gotta go!"

But that's me. I'm used to 30-60 min delays. The Doctors are overbooked. But so am I sometimes. May or may not come back.

CrankyFranky

That's a tricky one, George. Healthcare these days is stretched every which way in many areas, and hospital workers are often burnt out and simply don't have the juice to provide care you would expect in more normal times.
Why not ask the doc what he think happened to cause the delays, in a non-confrontational manner? Lots of non-linear stuff can happen in a hospital setting.

skidder

I've got to see a cardiologist every 6 months and his 'group' has slightly reduced the number of patients they see each day to keep the flow of people moving through and not have a back-up in the waiting room (COVID situation). Seems to be working, as I was in there on Friday about 15 minutes before my appointment, got called in almost immediately, got an EKG and a few other quick tests by the staff, then doctor evaluation/meet-and-discuss for about 15 minutes before leaving about 45 minutes after I arrived. I wish more places were that efficient.

If you're scheduled for a procedure at a hospital and they keep you delayed 4 hours I'd politely complain to the admin office. Issues can happen (mass casualty event nearby, equipment breakdown, or similar situations), but they should be on top of their operations and give you an update. As others have said I'd probably find another doctor and/or hospital if that's the normal situation you encounter.

Carbonfiberboy 

Hospitals are so overloaded with unvaxxed Covids that they're turning away people who are having heart attacks. Not a good time to go in, at least not in some states. Wait until after this surge if you can. Or die, like the guy who was turned away from 43 hospitals. As Maverick said, "This is not good."

Dudelsack 

I’m a semi-retired physician. Whenever I have a doctor’s appointment I make sure I have reading material or some form of entertainment with me. Ya never know.

NB: when the doctor finally gets to see you, please put away your game of solitaire. Having to wait on a patient finishing up a game of solitaire is a twig-snapper for sure.

gringomojado

I had to wait for a bike repair once, learned to do it myself!

gm

JohnDThompson 

That's a good work-around for bike repair delays. Not so much for hernia surgery, though…