Most confusing check in process ever in this lab office. A doctor from a nearby office asked me to get some bloodwork done, I stopped at the main desk in the hospital and asked where the lab was located, all she did was tell me which building. I walked over to the building only to wonder where the lab was actually located. There were quite a few different doors to different offices in this building. When I found the correct door, the first floor had a room with glass doors with mammogram printed huge on them as well as other things printed, in the bottom left corner easily missed smaller print and almost hidden behind a stand they had in front of it said lab work. However, I hadn't seen it. I walked in to find an employee to ask where the lab was located. The room was packed and everyone was too busy. I walked outside the building and a couple saw me looking around confused and luckily asked if I needed help. They told me where I was IS the lab, and then they argued over whether or not I check in on computer upon entrance. So I turned around and went back in, the computer had printed on top of it breast and mammogram check in - NOTHING about lab work. There were no signs posted anywhere with instruction. Luckily a booth opened at that moment and I was able to ask the woman working what I do for blood work, she told me to check in even though the computer says it's for breast and mammogram. How would I have known otherwise? She told me take a seat and they'd call me back in the lab. A woman came out of the lab in the back corner and asked the room for their paperwork. When I handed her what I was given is when she explained I had to go through the full check in progress first. Sooo confusing! I've never had this issue before from other labs. So wasted so much time just waiting to ask for help rather than getting checked in properly to begin with because there was no posted signage. Sentara needs to make things easier for patients. While I was waiting I noticed many other people coming in after me who were just as confused. At that point a patient waiting started directing everyone to just sign in regardless of the mammogram posting.
The good - wait room was packed SO bad that people had to stand in the hallway during my wait, but the wait was super quick. They took people back for lab work promptly, and the lab work staff was comforting and friendly.
So this review is for anyone confused how to check in, and if an employee sees this...maybe think about better posted instructions for your patients, especially on a busy day when you don't have a free employee to guide your patients. Because if a patient is like me, I'm not going to nag at a person in the wait room for help, I don't know what they're going through, how stressed or sick they may be, and I just want to let them be and would rather ask for help from an employee. read more