***Update 11/7/22***
I returned to this downtown x-ray clinic for a quickie knee x-ray. Was here today, Monday, at around 11 am. As before, you don't need an appointment to be seen (they take walk-ins for x-rays, but you'll need an appt for bone density testing). Unlike last time, there was a 30 minute wait this time, with patients seated in the small waiting area and also standing outside the door.
I was reminded of how clean yet sterile this place is. White hospital-like walls without any artwork or color. Basic metal chairs in the waiting room; nothing plush or designed for comfort. Clean, yes, but not inviting in any way.
I was reminded of how cool and aloof the employees are here. There are two: the lady behind the front counter who does the scheduling and checks you in, and the man who is the radiology tech. Not once did either of these people look me in the eye, talk to me directly or smile in any way, shape or form. They were both robotic-like, in every way. It was particularly unnerving with the radiologist who actually positioned my knee properly for x-raying. To have someone actually touch you yet never look at you is especially disconcerting somehow. But the lady receptionist, too, never looked at me, yet still talked to me when I checked in, verified my info, took my ID to verify, etc. I have to say, I've never encountered such distant, disconnected staff in any medical practice or clinic ever in my 61 years.
I am taking off one star from my previous review, not because of the impersonal patient care here, but because of the clinic's mask policy. There are signs everywhere, outside and in, saying that masks are mandatory in this clinic, and they even provide free masks for patients if you forget yours. I love this, and feel safer when everyone is wearing a mask in an indoor setting with no windows. So I was particularly surprised and dismayed when the lady at the front counter was maskless. I was there for 40-45 minutes and she never had one on or even nearby. This is the woman who is in contact with every patient who comes through the door, checks them in, handles their ID. She is the common denominator to every single person who enters the room. And she doesn't wear a mask. Go figure. Thankfully all of us patients complied with the posted mandatory mask policy. So at least there's that. read more