What is the name of your state? Georgia
I apologize for the length..just don't want to leave anything out.
I was dx'ed with Rheumatoid Arthritis last year. I have been on several medications. My Rheumatologist and I finally found a medication that works and works well...for a short period of time. The normal dosing is one injection q 2 weeks. At or about 10 days, the pain of the RA returns. I sent a message to the Drs. office via an online website the Drs. office uses for communication. The nurse sent back a message stating I could increase the medication to q 10 days as per the MD. I wrote back stating I would need a new Rx with the change in frequency. He told me he would do this. Due to the cost of this medication, it has to be handled through a mail order pharmacy. When I called the mail order pharmacy to check on the medication, they told me they did not have a new Rx! This all occured a week before my next dose was due (the mail order pharmacy I have to use can overnight the Rx to you, so no need to order anything weeks in advance...in fact, they prefer you not do that).
I called the Drs. office to find out what was going on. The nurse then informs me the Dr. would not refill the medication or change the frequency since I was a no show 7 times! This is NOT true. After arguing with the nurse (he would not, rather could not provide the dates of these supposed no shows), I was able to speak with the office manager who stated I did NOT have a single no show. In fact, I was able to account for each appointment, even including the dates and times I went in for bloodwork. I was then told the medication would be called in.
Well, I call the pharmacy again only to find nothing had been called or faxed over to them. I was in excrutiating pain, but could do nothing at all as this was Friday evening at this point. I was not even able to use my hand. The pharmacy did send me one dose to at least get me started again, but informed me, this was not going to work immediately, which I was aware of already.
I went to the MD the next week for my appointment. I told them what had transpired and wondered why the MD refused my medication. This is where the fun begins. He NEVER refused the medication..in fact, he signed off on it the same day the pharmacy faxed over the orders!!!!! The orders even showed the updated Rx!! When the office manager asked the nurse why he didn't fax over the order with the MDs signature, he said, "I didn't know if she used the Pen or the Syringe!" Well, if you check the chart, or better yet, call the pharmacy, you will find the answer, and quickly!!!!!
The PA came in to see me first (The Dr. was in the hospital with an emergency). I explained to her all that was happening and the sharp increase in my pain. She then informed me they have been having problems with this nurse and she couldn't apologize enough for what occured. She noted the swelling in my index finger and the immobility. She knew just from looking at me the pain I was in.
The Dr. then comes in and starts apologizing to me. He told me this is NOT the first time this nurse has done this to a patient but it will be the last!! He looked at the joint in my index finger and informed me the deformity that is there is more than likely from not getting the medication on time and will "hopefully" reverse itself as the RA flare settles down. He decided instead of doing the medication q 10 days, we would do it q 7 days and even that particular week (last week), I would take TWO doses.
I have since seen my Hand Surgeon as well (I have a history of RSD), and he has fitted me with a custom made splint for my finger in the hopes it will keep the joint from further deformity. He also hopes the medication will do its job and this will reverse, but he isn't hopeful.
One of my biggest fears in this disease is getting the "old lady fingers" as I call them. I am now getting them, and on admission from the MD, is more than likely due to the negligence of the nurse! Further, as I stated before, I was NOT the first patient the nurse has failed to call in medication or has made other mistakes, yet the MD kept him on as an employee!
Might there be a cause of action? If not against the MD, the nurse?? I am now limited at work with what I am allowed to do with my left hand. I use my hands at work all the time(work for a bank). I need my hands. I have had more copays, more Dr. visits, etc. due to this.
Thank you for your time. Any information you may be able to provide is greatly appreciated.
I apologize for the length..just don't want to leave anything out.
I was dx'ed with Rheumatoid Arthritis last year. I have been on several medications. My Rheumatologist and I finally found a medication that works and works well...for a short period of time. The normal dosing is one injection q 2 weeks. At or about 10 days, the pain of the RA returns. I sent a message to the Drs. office via an online website the Drs. office uses for communication. The nurse sent back a message stating I could increase the medication to q 10 days as per the MD. I wrote back stating I would need a new Rx with the change in frequency. He told me he would do this. Due to the cost of this medication, it has to be handled through a mail order pharmacy. When I called the mail order pharmacy to check on the medication, they told me they did not have a new Rx! This all occured a week before my next dose was due (the mail order pharmacy I have to use can overnight the Rx to you, so no need to order anything weeks in advance...in fact, they prefer you not do that).
I called the Drs. office to find out what was going on. The nurse then informs me the Dr. would not refill the medication or change the frequency since I was a no show 7 times! This is NOT true. After arguing with the nurse (he would not, rather could not provide the dates of these supposed no shows), I was able to speak with the office manager who stated I did NOT have a single no show. In fact, I was able to account for each appointment, even including the dates and times I went in for bloodwork. I was then told the medication would be called in.
Well, I call the pharmacy again only to find nothing had been called or faxed over to them. I was in excrutiating pain, but could do nothing at all as this was Friday evening at this point. I was not even able to use my hand. The pharmacy did send me one dose to at least get me started again, but informed me, this was not going to work immediately, which I was aware of already.
I went to the MD the next week for my appointment. I told them what had transpired and wondered why the MD refused my medication. This is where the fun begins. He NEVER refused the medication..in fact, he signed off on it the same day the pharmacy faxed over the orders!!!!! The orders even showed the updated Rx!! When the office manager asked the nurse why he didn't fax over the order with the MDs signature, he said, "I didn't know if she used the Pen or the Syringe!" Well, if you check the chart, or better yet, call the pharmacy, you will find the answer, and quickly!!!!!
The PA came in to see me first (The Dr. was in the hospital with an emergency). I explained to her all that was happening and the sharp increase in my pain. She then informed me they have been having problems with this nurse and she couldn't apologize enough for what occured. She noted the swelling in my index finger and the immobility. She knew just from looking at me the pain I was in.
The Dr. then comes in and starts apologizing to me. He told me this is NOT the first time this nurse has done this to a patient but it will be the last!! He looked at the joint in my index finger and informed me the deformity that is there is more than likely from not getting the medication on time and will "hopefully" reverse itself as the RA flare settles down. He decided instead of doing the medication q 10 days, we would do it q 7 days and even that particular week (last week), I would take TWO doses.
I have since seen my Hand Surgeon as well (I have a history of RSD), and he has fitted me with a custom made splint for my finger in the hopes it will keep the joint from further deformity. He also hopes the medication will do its job and this will reverse, but he isn't hopeful.
One of my biggest fears in this disease is getting the "old lady fingers" as I call them. I am now getting them, and on admission from the MD, is more than likely due to the negligence of the nurse! Further, as I stated before, I was NOT the first patient the nurse has failed to call in medication or has made other mistakes, yet the MD kept him on as an employee!
Might there be a cause of action? If not against the MD, the nurse?? I am now limited at work with what I am allowed to do with my left hand. I use my hands at work all the time(work for a bank). I need my hands. I have had more copays, more Dr. visits, etc. due to this.
Thank you for your time. Any information you may be able to provide is greatly appreciated.