Part 1) WARNING!! If you care about your little ones, I would seriously tread lightly. This will be quite the review explaining the disorganized and reckless experience we have had with our 6yr old. In addition, clear lack of understanding for blended and or LGBT families. First off, I am a nurse myself, as a person of color, I was ecstatic to support a provider of color partaking in their independent practice. Our very first 20 minute interaction with staff, we were made to feel extremely uncomfortable as the NP assumed I was just "helping out" with our children. I was even asked if I was their nurse by the staff...very much playing into racial stereotypes and unconscious biases some may have for different families. I was not asked what my relation was, not even by the NP running the practice. Not being engaged with during conversations regarding our children's care. That interaction left a very souring first impression. Son's father being listed as the "guardian" on child's paperwork and despite being the insurance holder is not present physically. When asked she said "don't take it personally". Something we have never encountered with doctors since severing ties with NP Natasha. All of who have build rapport with us both and have referred to us both as the mommies!
In August of this year our son came to the office for his shots but after explaining to Ms. Natasha, NP that our son has been up at night coughing, she proceeded to do a respiratory exam and found him wheezing throughout all of his lung basis. No further questions asked. It turned into a sick visit and he was given an inhaler, steroids and a breathing treatment in office and sent on his way. Prior to giving him any nebulizer treatment, we had to pay a copay despite her saying his wheezing was severe. After the treatment, there was no follow up made. No referral to an allergist despite her saying that it was "just allergies". No education on the medication/side effects to expect without being prompted first. Due to his presentation and symptoms he had been having at night we asked if it may be asthma and she just shrugged her shoulders. There was also no after visit summary at the end of the visit. While waiting for our appointment with a well known doctor in the area, it was no shock that a few months after the visit, our son started having retractions and severe wheezing at school. Persistent coughing at night and throughout the day to which we've used the inhaler she prescribed. Mom at the desk asked for him to come in and he was again given a breathing treatment and steroids. Again, no referral. Less than 6 months apart, this would be his second round of steroids. Very unusual and set red alarms firing. On the phone with my partner, I advocated for him to have an asthma action plan as he would have not been provided one. Her response was "sure I can do that". My partner asked for an allergy test. The asthma action plan included Zyrtec, nebulizer treatments and a rescue inhaler. Very short term steroids despite coming in for severe retractions and wheezing. The template itself was one clearly printed online from a New Jersey hospital website. No big deal but shows the disorganization. Very hard for both the school nurse and I to read...again, no after visit summary. Action plan was not thorough, did not include sick plan. No follow up. No referral made to a specialist. In addition to this, tried to have us purchase her $80 compressor when it was $60 online and covered by our insurance elsewhere...she did not suggest this to us. Very clear that there was no care for the patient or family only what she can profit. Overall this is what our experience has very clearly shown us. read more
