I was in Florida for an extended stay for medical treatment and my doctor ordered an MRI. I chose Dadeland MRI for its proximity to my hotel. I was able to book an appointment fairly easily and texted over, per the receptionist's directions, the doctor's order, clinic notes, and a photo of my insurance card. My doctor also faxed over his order and clinic notes, which included a report from a previous MRI.
I arrived on the day of my appointment and was greeted by Gustavo at the front desk. He just glared at me when I asked if I needed to sign in, then walked away. He came back a few minutes later and told me gruffly that they had "no information" from me and that they couldn't perform the MRI. He said they got no fax from my doctor and whatever I'd texted had never come through (even though I showed him the confirmation on my phone that everything needed was on file). He just kept glaring at me and refused to answer any of my questions. It was downright creepy. I called the main number and spoke to the original receptionist, who was confused, as my file showed all of my paperwork was complete. However, Gustavo would not speak with her. Another woman came around from a back office and said that everything was in order and we could proceed. Odd.
I went back and the MRI tech was extremely kind and went over my medical history. However, the radiologist was horrible. He refused to allow me to have a pillow for my knees or lower back, even though I had recently had spinal surgery and am missing parts of lower vertebrae - and despite the fact that my home MRI center always allows this! He was VERY rough with me, grabbing my shoulder and elbow and forcing me down HARD onto the MRI table and also berated me for "not having any prior imaging on file". But I did! I tried to tell him and he just talked over me. He was rough with me when I tried to sit up after the imaging, again grabbing me and yanking me upward, despite my asking him not to. I was in for spinal imaging post-surgery, you'd think this man would know that. He was also VERY short with the tech, who also tried to get him to take his hands off of me. This guy should not be in medicine.
The worst was that I sat in the waiting room waiting for my imaging CD to take back to my doctor. I was there for at least 20 minutes when Gustavo stomped in and angrily told me to come back the next day because it would not be ready. I asked if there was a problem and he growled, "come back tomorrow". I reminded him that I had to walk from my hotel and asked if there was any way to have it ready, as promised. He just glared at me. That seems to be his thing - intimidating patients. So I left.
I walked all the way back the next morning and the entire office was CLOSED. I called the main number and was told that this office is only open two days a week. If I wanted a copy of my imaging before the weekend, I would have to drive 40 minutes away to another location!
I had to hire an Uber to take me down that afternoon and found Gustavo also working that front desk. He handed me the imaging CD, which had been *stapled to the envelope*. Instead of going back and dealing with that terrible man again (while paying for an Uber to wait for me to argue with him while he glared at me), my neurosurgeon actually sat and repaired the chipped portion of the CD in order to see the images.
This was a horrific experience from start to finish. Since being diagnosed with spinal cord tumors, I've had a lot of imaging done and have dealt with a lot of medical staff. I have never, EVER been treated so poorly. The only good thing about this center is the sweet receptionist who makes the appointments and the kind tech (who was also berated by that radiologist). Avoid this place at ALL COSTS. read more