I was relieved to find Dr. Daniel Niku on Zocdoc because I was dealing with recurring UTIs, was extremely uncomfortable, and could not get in to see my regular OB-GYN. Unfortunately, the experience ended up being one of the worst medical experiences I have had.
The office visit itself felt uncomfortable and strange, and I did not feel listened to regarding the reason I came in. I provided a urine sample immediately upon arrival because the UTI symptoms were the entire reason for my appointment.
After the visit, no one ever called me with my results. I eventually found my Pap results on the patient portal myself, but there was no urine culture posted. I spent nearly two weeks repeatedly calling the office trying to get answers and was continually told that a nurse would call me back. No one ever did.
Finally, after more than five calls, I reached a nurse directly. She told me there was no record of a urine culture. I explained multiple times that I had provided a urine sample at the beginning of my appointment, but instead of investigating what happened, apologizing, or taking responsibility, she simply kept repeating that she did not see a urine culture in my chart.
At that point, the only conclusion I could reach was that my urine sample had been lost. No one from the office ever contacted me to explain what happened, acknowledge the mistake, or apologize. I was the one who had to spend two weeks chasing down answers while dealing with a recurring medical issue.
The office ultimately refunded the full $75 I paid for the visit ($40 administrative fee and my $35 copay), which I appreciate. However, a refund does not make up for such a poor experience. It certainly does not make up for losing the very sample that was collected for the primary reason I sought care, failing to notify me, failing to return my calls, and leaving me without answers for nearly two weeks while I was dealing with a recurring medical issue.
What makes this experience even more concerning is that I have since returned to my regular OB-GYN and learned that some of the information I was given during my appointment was incorrect. The difference between the two experiences was night and day. My regular physician listened carefully, addressed my concerns, answered my questions accurately, and provided the level of care I should have received in the first place. It was a stark reminder of how important it is to have a knowledgeable physician who actually listens to their patients.
After this happened, I read through Yelp reviews and was dismayed to find other patients describing similar issues with missing or lost urine samples. I genuinely wish I had read those reviews before making an appointment. Had I done so, I would have chosen a different provider.
I went to this office because I needed urgent help and could not get in to see my regular doctor. Instead, I left feeling ignored, dismissed, and frustrated. Between the lost urine sample, the lack of follow-up, the repeated unreturned calls, the undisclosed administrative fee, and the inaccurate information I later discovered I had been given, I cannot recommend this practice. read more
