I want preface this with this is not a complaint about the nurses, save for Misty (more on that later), because they were great! Especially Mandy (who left to free up time for grand babies) and Charlotte! The way those two care about and advocate for their patients is unmatched! Thank you, ladies!
Let's talk management. In my experience, that's typically where problems start before they roll downhill.
SCHEDULING: You might see the same couple nurses quite often, but not always. They'll just up and spring a new one on you. From what I understand, the vast majority of their patients have some sort of ongoing wound issue, whether wound vac related or otherwise. Wouldn't best practice be to keep the same eyes on those wounds week after week?
Also, don't go having any sort of plans on the days they're coming. What's with not having some sort of set schedule? I can understand that this would be subject to change, but that's more understandable than always calling the evening before to set up a time.
SUPPLY REQUISITION: I can understand that it takes time for insurance to be sorted out in the beginning. Providing necessary supplies, that nurses are asking their patients about at visits, seems pretty basic. Instead, they attempt to order supplies just to have them denied, even after your insurance is squared away. Solution? Attempt to order the supplies again... and again... without addressing the reason(s) for the denial. (I was actually able to confirm this with someone at their office.)
The one time they offered to provide supplies they couldn't acquire, I was told, "We eat that cost." That's odd. I know how overhead works. Further, I have no sympathy for not addressing the denials mentioned above. Miss me with that.
DOCUMENTATION: I can say for certain that at least on one occasion the nurse actually told me she was entering my blood sugar incorrectly to avoid calling my doctor. (It was 150ish that morning, entered as 130.) How often did that happen and I don't know about it? Does management care?
Finally, MISTY: I didn't meet with a her but a few times, but my experience was certainly less than stellar. She comes across as what I call a "company man." Someone is more concerned about the company meeting it's goals rather than what's best for the patients.
I actually have things to do during the day, so when I'm given a time window of half an hour, that's fine. Misty gave me an hour window, 10-11, but didn't arrive until 11:45. No acknowledgement or apology.
The last time she was here she just seemed to be in a hurry to discharge me from services, yet just this past Friday, when I was in her schedule and she'd be doing just that, crickets.
While I'm very grateful to have had their services for my wound vac, I'm over the DOCTOR ORDERED care I've received since the wound vac came off. I get the impression it's seen as an inconvenience rather than something Dr. Forbes deemed necessary. I sincerely worry about older patients who may not be able to advocate for themselves.
The fact that this company is named Integrity, but lacks it is cause for concern. I understand they were acquired by another company, and maybe some of this lands at their feet, but definitely not all. So much of this is on a local level where public trust should be paramount. read more
