A medical condition was observed during a visit via PacMed - Northgate that resulted in a referral…read moreto Swedish Medical Center's otolaryngology or ear, nose, throat specialists. I opted for the Seattle - Ballard location over the Seattle - First Hill or Issaquah locations due to proximity to Shoreline.
*Visit #1 initial consultation on 2/17/21, free street parking up to 4 hours.
Masked, temperature checked, and socially distanced in a tiny reception area. Initial intake forms were completed. We met Dr. Chan and a medical transcription assistant in a clean exam room, all of us masked. Vitals and visual ENT observations taken. Observation concurred with the family medical doctor from PacMed. Professional demeanor and procedure explained in clear layperson's terminology. We spent more time in the waiting area, than the actual exam room. Despite having insurance coverage, the bill was over $300. Guess this situation is considered cosmetic, insert eye roll here towards Swedish and Premera.
*Visit #2 actual outpatient procedure on 3/10/21, paid $1 for two hours street parking.
Initially this procedure was scheduled two weeks earlier. Day of the procedure, I received a phone call two hours prior that Dr. Chan requested this appointment to be cancelled and rescheduled. I remembered being so annoyed because of the logistics to get that time off from work. Turned out it was a smart decision to reschedule, because the performed procedure should not be hurried and become a haphazard epic fail.
Folks present in the clean exam room, were myself, the patient, Dr. Chan, his medical transcription assistant, and his nurse. The procedure used localized injections of lidocaine and patient was conscious throughout the procedure. I was given a handful of neosporin packets and the antibiotic prescription was phoned in to our local Bartell Drugs in Shoreline. I was present more for morale support, but as a science professional was observing the entire procedure like a hawk, and to comprehend the after care instructions. Dr. Chan narrated the procedure, did the least invasive but thorough extraction, and deft sterile saline rinse and suture closure.
*Visit #3 removal of stitches on 3/15/21, paid 25 cents for 30 minutes street parking
Folks present in the exam room, were myself, the patient, Dr. Chan, and his medical transcription assistant. Took only a few minutes, snip snip, a dab of neosporin, and all done. This was an uneventful procedure. No infection, no reaction to the antibiotic prescribed, thankfully. All done. Just glad the pathology report stated it was a benign dermal cyst. As long as I don't hear the words malignant or cancer, I'm a happy Mama Bear. I now await a whopper of a medical bill from Swedish and Premera.
The Yelp reviews were across the board, which had me wary having Dr. Vincent Chan as the initial medical specialist referral. But for these specific three appointments, all of my questions on behalf of the patient were answered. I was satisfied with the final outcome.
Professional, straightforward, thorough.