I've mentioned here my mom had a 6 minute walk test that shows she needs supplemental oxygen. This was 12/19, Thursday at 5 pm. The respiratory therapist faxed it that night and left word with the answering service as well.
I called on Friday to schedule a follow up appt with the pulmonologist. This doctor's next appt in office is 1/17 as he and the others in this group spend most of their time doing rounds at the hospital. They said they would send him a message.
I called Monday the 23rd. They said they would send him another message and expedite it. No response as yet.
I checked her portal today to see if the reports had been uploaded bc she's considering seeing someone who can actually maybe see her. They had not. I sent a message today to the pulmonologist thru the portal expressing concern about getting this process going.
I called the respiratory therapist who told me reports aren't uploaded bc the doctor wants to discuss with the patient first.... But she told me he STILL hasn't read the report!! I know it's the holidays but this is oxygen related, mom can barely move around without getting short of breath, she's scared. And who knows how long insurance auth and DME set up will take etc
The therapist said said she'd be willing to fax the info to mom's gerontologist affiliated with a different practice so we can ask him to make a referral to his group (she already had the walk test scheduled when she saw this new - - to her-- gerontologist at the end of November) and get her seen sooner and transition her care away from this group affiliated with her pcp who is an arrogant a**.
I'm just sooo frustrated, mom is in such discomfort daily and the last place I want to take her is to the ER. She won't survive that mentally. I feel like every day that passes is another day she could have a stroke or something.
Is this a normal time frame??? The RT said they could send a prescription without seeing her but if he hasn't even read the report yet.... ???
If you can limit mom's activity level at rest and Sats are above 88, then she is adequately safe at those low levels. Unless she had some major exacerbation around the time she was tested, then remember that she might have been living with this shortness of breath for a long time. Be mindful that once she gets her oxygen and her levels come up to 90 or better, the pathology of her disease might still leave her short of breath from which she should find a program to build her breathing strength.
Update: the doctors assistant called me back at about 4:30 to tell me she texted him several times and voila while we were on the phone he texted back that he was going to read the report. So at least I know it's actually there and that he's on notice to read the damn thing.
I told her I appreciated her and she said even if she had no news she wasn't going to leave me hanging. Which she didn't when she called, a hard call to make. I know it's New Years Eve but I will tell you I worked in financial services for years and year end was anything but jolly. But it was my job. This is much more important and we need people to do their jobs!
Sometimes you just have to squeak and it's not in my nature but I've had to do three people's jobs this week to get things moving so I guess I'm getting good at it. I don't know why I'm still actually shocked at the amount of things that just won't get done without a follow call.
I wish everyone as much calm and peace as humanly possible for 2025.
Wishing you the very best, and your mom as well.
Mom's oxygen is very good while at rest so I'd keep her relaxed and sitting down as much as possible for the time being. I'm fortunate to have Kaiser and had an appointment on 12/27 which is rare outside of that group. Sad but true.
I think what you are speaking truth of is what is so very frustrating now in our current medical practice "norms".
This whole "portal thing" is really not working well, clearly.
That is to say that the message isn't getting through.
Now, that they said mom should have supplemental 02 on hand for when she is exercising to any extent is NOT emergent. Were it emergent they would have called to the pulmonologist and arranged patient be seen next day. Recently my partner had a stroke (reversed with the clot busters) and they sent him home on the second day. But boy were they ever clear that he was to be seen by his own system (Kaiser) on the next Monday. Which he was. Not by his own doc but by another. So if you have oximetry at home, and Mom is OK, this isn't an emergency, but neither is it something that a doctor doesn't need even to read nor is it a thing that can wait until mid January and you SHOULD ALREADY HAVE THE O2.
I would call and would let them know that you are concerned enough you will go to ER if someone doesn't tell the pulmonologist about the needed supplemental O2, and get back to you with where to go to get this done.
This is bad care. You are correct. It should be reported.
And this is how our system is going with everyone sending notes to everyone's portal, and gee, let's hope someone gets a chance to take a glance at them.
Sorry it is going to wrong. Are you more comfortable now with your own research into what it will be to have to O2 on hand, and etc?
Luckily her resting o2 is high 90's still. I'm furious.
DH and I went out of town Saturday through Jan 8.
The timing is really bad unfortunately. Call the office and leave a message with the answering service for the doc on call to call you back.
And yes, send the prescription to the DME office now.