Today, while waiting for an appointment with Patti, the front desk receptionist, Cherie (the woman…read morewith red hair), was very rude when I asked when I would be seen. I had been waiting for 30 minutes, which is unusual when seeing Patti. I happened to ask at the same time another patient was called back.
Cherie responded, "They are being seen by Dr. Jani. When Patti gets a room, you will be called back."
I said, "Oh, no, I was not asking because they went back. I was asking because I've been here for 30 minutes."
I continued speaking calmly, even though she was being very dismissive and rude, seemingly so she could return to talking with her friend, who was another patient.
She then said, "Like I said, they are seeing Dr. Jani. You will be called back when a room becomes available."
I asked her, "Why do you keep talking about other patients? That is not why I asked when I would be able to go back."
I have been a patient at this office for years, and I am familiar with how medical appointments work. There may be patients who are called back before me because they are seeing a different provider. That was not my reason for asking.
When I walked away after her rude response, I saw Cherie look at me with annoyance. I told her that I hoped she would have a better day, and she said she was having a great day. I responded that it did not seem like it.
When I sat down, an elderly woman next to me appeared shocked by Cherie's unprofessional behavior.
When I was called back later, Cherie looked at me in a very mean and intimidating way, as though she wanted to fight me. She was squinting her eyes at me and making other intimidating facial expressions. While I was in the examination room, I overheard her speaking very loudly and openly about my patient status to another patient who appeared to be her friend.
Cherie said that my chart showed I had previously been discharged, that Patti allowed me to return, and that everyone was now regretting it. Regardless of the truth of that claim, I hope Dr. Mehta and Associates take this matter seriously. Their front desk staff member openly discussed information from my medical chart with another patient, which may constitute a serious HIPAA privacy violation.
Cherie's behavior today was unprovoked, unprofessional, and disgusting. She did not stop at simply being rude. She escalated the situation by attempting to intimidate me with her facial expressions. She then took matters much too far by loudly discussing private information from my chart with another patient. Cherie also disclosed information about another patient by stating who that patient's doctor was.