So this marks the first time I've "updated" a Yelp review. While SCCA would in theory top the list…read moreof places I'd most want to upgrade to a HIGHER rating, its scheduling department's ongoing incompetence once again caused enough stress and inconvenience today to warrant this downgrade to just one star.
Quite frankly, I'd give the scheduling department (at least the one I'm stuck dealing with) ZERO stars if given the option. In my 10+ years as a patient, I've communicated with almost as many schedulers -- and perhaps one or two of them have been good at their jobs.
The one working when I first started treatment was so bad that after I once vented about her on a support board, a local person PM'd me to ask if I was talking about S***; she knew exactly who I was referring to (even though I didn't name names), and said the lady was notorious for her poor communication skills.
Well, at this point, I actually MISS that ten-years-ago scheduler. At least she never flat-out lied to me -- unlike the one two years ago who said it was ok when I questioned why my routine CT scan wasn't scheduled (see previous review), only for me to find out several weeks later, on the day I received the results for my bone scan, that yes, I DID also need the CT scan (which I then had to have at the last minute, and wait an extra day to get results for -- as if regular "scanxiety" isn't bad enough without being made worse by lazy schedulers who can't be bothered to follow up on valid patient concerns).
After that 2018 incident, you'd best believe that I let SCCA know how I felt about it. I was then given some empty promise by Patient Relations that it "wouldn't happen again", they'd "communicate better", blah blah. Because I'm a forgiving person, I thanked them and decided to let it go.
I still have to initiate setting up all my appointments, despite always being told that the schedulers will "contact me" (and I'm actually ok with scheduling things myself; I do so on a regular basis with my GP's office, which has a specific portal for this, but apparently SCCA isn't yet that advanced. But why bother claiming that the schedulers will "contact me"?). Still, things were more or less fine, until December of 2019.
That's when I contacted my onc's current scheduler to set up my every-three-months Lupron injection, which I knew was due in January. She responded within a reasonable time frame, and told me that the shot was scheduled for 1/4.
Right away, I noticed that this seemed too early; it's been made very clear to me over the years that these shots should be given every 12 weeks (though there is about a week's worth of flexibility; it doesn't have to be 100% exact).
But my most recent injection occurred on October 21st; and it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to see that 10/21 to 1/4 = not 12 weeks. It should take about 30 seconds to actually make the effort to count (or check a calendar, for crying out loud) and see that officially it's only 10 weeks and 5 days.
I emailed the scheduler with my concern. I pointed out that it seemed too early. I gave her the specific date of 10/21 as my last injection, so she had that information handy.
Two days later, she replied; she mentioned the week's flexibility and said (and I quote; see attached) "it is okay for you to receive on 1/4".
I knew it still wasn't quite even 11 weeks; and I certainly hadn't forgotten the incident two years ago. However, I decided to give this person -- who, after all, is paid to be thorough and accurate, and not make mistakes -- the benefit of the doubt and not question her further. I mean, I shouldn't need to be in a position where I'm asking "ARE YOU SUUUURE?" each time a member of my so-called "care team" relays a message to me. Especially not AFTER I'd handed this person her own error on a silver platter by pointing out the early date, and given her ample time and opportunity to follow up on and fix the error if needed.
Fast-forward to today, January 4th.
I don't blame SCCA for running behind, and for waiting until 20 minutes after my scheduled appointment to send me back to a room. I DO, however, question why they waited until after I'd been sent back and had my vitals taken, to inform me that they couldn't actually give me the injection today...
Because it was too early.
LIVID doesn't begin to cover how I felt after hearing this.
While lazy and irresponsible of them, I'll forgive SCCA for not bothering to call, or at least tell me when I checked in, that I wouldn't get the shot today; at least the infusion nurse who gave me the news seemed genuinely regretful, and made a visible (and appreciated) effort to help.
There is NO excuse, though, to be flat-out lied to and misinformed AGAIN by a scheduler who can't be bothered to do her job.
It's infuriating. It's ridiculous. And SCCA's patients deserve better.
I'll close with a line from my first review -- In short: I'd suggest looking elsewhere for treatment.
