I have to agree that the front office, even with its technology and headsets, needs work. My adverse reactions is mostly related to the front desk and those who take appointments. They are somewhat uninformative and seem clueless (even if they are not necessarily so). So, I give the front office of the Sutter Medical Foundation at most 2 stars.
OK, that said, the other staff is pretty OK, they will answer your questions and if you treat them well, they will return the same. Be an ass, don't be surprised if they don't reciprocate with sunshine.
As for Dr. Rosenblatt, (I give him 4 stars) he does not blow sunshine up your hiney--a good thing. If you smoke, he will stare you down and you will go home with the intent to quit. In fact, he tells you point blank, "you cannot be a patient of mine, if you smoke."
He also explained my EKG when I asked about it, requested tests I have never had, and was the first doc since moving to SF that asked for my records from my previous cardiologist in Texas (I have asked other docs if they wanted these and they basically mumbled).
So, all said here are my tips:
1. It will take at about a month to get an appointment with Dr. Rosenblatt if you have a routine checkup (don't be surprised if it takes two months if you are a new patient). Even though we live in a primo city, good cardiologist are still limited, especially based on insurance and if your condition is somewhat routine/not extreme and in need of the assistance of docs at UCSF.
2. Do not allow the front desk and appointment personnel sour you. But do provide feedback to the appropriate people, aka, express your displeasure but do so effectively and not just bitch.
3. Plan that your appointment may take 2 hours, especially if Rosenblatt is offsite. I imagine he has patients that require him go to hospitals--keep this in mind for the future if you ever been or may have to be one of those patients. My daddy has a lot of heart issues and it is a good thing when his doc shows up at the hospital.
4. Ask questions, and if you are waiting for awhile ask for water, reading material, etc. His staff is accommodating. They know that cardiovascular shit is scary for the patient and they are not really trying to make your life hell. read more