On August 23rd, I saw ARNP Miss Ray at Dr. Lopez's office at the Bond Clinic. Given a high thyroid TSH from a previous general blood panel, she sent me down to the lab to have blood drawn for a detailed thyroid analysis. The lab was UNABLE to draw my blood, and with the comment "We've never seen anything like this before", the lab assistant told me to immediately return to Dr. Lopez's office (in the same building) which I did (I was naturally quite alarmed). Miss Ray offered to send to me to another lab on Avenue B, which I declined -- I was recovering from major surgery and already had two bandages on my arm from the failed lab attempt to draw my blood. Miss Ray was dismissive and told me that she was not going to make another appointment, but that I should keep a previously scheduled routine appointment on October 18th, 2018.
Approximately one week later I received a call from Christina at Dr. Lopez's office. She called to tell me the results were back from my thyroid panel and my T3/T4 hormones were normal. She informed me that the Doctor wanted me to have an ultrasound of the thyroid gland performed. I declined and the conversation ended.
I declined because I wanted to measure my response carefully. What blood had been used for the detailed thyroid panel? Not mine, for sure. I verified dates and called Dr. Lopez's office back the same day and asked to speak to Christina. I informed her that the lab was unable to take my blood on the 23rd and asked her to disclose the mistake and to please let me know how it happened.
Christina did not return my call. I called again about one week later and asked to speak to ARNP Miss Ray. She was not available to speak with me so I voiced my concern to Judy, the receptionist, and asked her to please relay my concern to Miss Ray, and to please have her call me. I never heard from Miss Ray or anyone from Dr. Lopez's office regarding this concern.
On October 2nd, I called ARNP Jean Linn, the patient advocate at the Bond Clinic. She was very responsive to my concern and in just a few hours she had spoken to the lab and Dr. Lopez's office. She left me a very much appreciated detailed message -- 100% accurate -- and stated my medical record proved a detailed thyroid panel had been done on August 23rd.
BUT WHOSE BLOOD WAS USED TO OBTAIN THAT THYROID PANEL????
What is going on, right?
I don't know. What I do suspect is blatant deception and cover up. Why didn't anyone ever answer the above question when it was first asked?
I am concerned for my own health and other people's health as well.
I pledge for my sake and for the sake of other patients at the Bond Clinic that I will get to the bottom of this.
In the interim, if you, the reader of this post have ever had reason to question the integrity of anyone or any service at the Bond Clinic, please share your concerns.
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