0 stars: TERRIBLE SERVICE: Formal Complaint Regarding Patient Treatment and Service - September 7,…read more2026
I am submitting this complaint regarding the treatment I received at Patient First today.
I arrived at approximately 11:47 a.m. because I was extremely ill. I registered upon arrival, had my vital signs taken, and completed COVID, flu, and strep testing, all of which occurred before noon. I was then waiting in my vehicle, as staff were aware that I was outside.
At approximately 1:12-1:15 p.m., I realized that my tracking number had been passed over. I went inside after watching multiple patients who had arrived significantly after me being taken into treatment rooms.
When I brought this to the staff's attention, I was told that the patients who were taken before me were more severe cases. Based on what I personally observed in the waiting area, I did not see any apparent medical emergency or condition that would explain why I had been completely skipped in the queue. I understand and respect that medical facilities must prioritize truly emergent cases, but no one explained to me that my position in the queue had changed or that I was being intentionally delayed for a medical reason.
What was particularly troubling was that the staff knew I had been skipped and did not acknowledge or apologize for the error. Instead, I was placed in a treatment room at the very back of the facility and waited approximately another 20 minutes before the physician came to see me.
When I asked the physician, Dr. K, what was happening and why I was still waiting after being there since approximately 11:47 a.m., I was met with an unnecessarily dismissive and defensive attitude. I was told that the other patients were more critical than I was. I found this explanation both inappropriate and inconsistent with what I had personally witnessed.
I was already extremely sick (Covid test was positive) and had come to Patient First seeking medical care. I should not have had to repeatedly question staff simply to find out why I had been skipped.
I was also very uncomfortable with the conduct of the nurse who had initially processed me. After the situation became apparent, she would not make eye contact with me and stood in the room with her back toward me. Rather than acknowledging the mistake and apologizing, I felt that her behavior was dismissive and unprofessional.
I am also concerned about the handling of my prescription. I understand that mistakes can happen, but the prescription was sent to a pharmacy that was already closed. Given everything that had occurred during my visit, this was extremely frustrating and left me without an immediately accessible prescription when I was already very ill.
My concerns are therefore not simply about having to wait. They are about:
* Being skipped in the patient queue despite having already registered and completed my initial testing.
* Patients who arrived substantially after me being taken into treatment before me.
* Staff being aware of the situation without acknowledging or apologizing for the mistake.
* The physician's dismissive and inappropriate response when I asked a reasonable question about my care.
* Being given an explanation that did not appear consistent with what I personally observed.
* The nurse's unprofessional demeanor after the error occurred.
* A prescription being sent to a pharmacy that was closed.
I expect Patient First to investigate this incident, including reviewing my arrival time, registration time, testing times, tracking/queue records, room assignment, and the times that other patients were taken back for treatment.
I would also like the office manager to address the conduct and bedside manner of the physician who treated me, as well as the conduct of the nurse involved. Patients who are sick and vulnerable should be treated with professionalism, courtesy, and basic respect.
I am requesting a written response explaining what happened, why I was skipped, and what will be done to prevent this from happening to another patient.
This experience was unacceptable, particularly while I was already extremely ill and seeking medical care. UPDATE: As of 4:30 p.m. today, I still have not heard back from Patient First regarding my prescription being sent to a different pharmacy, nor have they responded to any of my concerns about what happened during my visit. They close at 6:00 p.m., so I am still waiting for someone to take responsibility and address this situation and get my meds.
This level of disregard for a sick patient is completely unacceptable. The way I was treated today was unprofessional, dismissive, and, in my opinion, completely inappropriate for a healthcare setting. Patients deserve better than this.