Review based on MRI and registration experience only. Because of this, I have not given it a 1 star rating as to be fair.
Awful, awful awful! Worst experience ever regarding a procedure. I am still in complete awe of how poorly this went.
I am a Lupus Warrior so medical appointments, procedures and processes are not new to me. I also worked in the medical field for 17 years.
I started off by going to the entrance on the rear of the building as instructed. The parking was free so bonus there. I walk in the entrance marked MRI. The interior was dark and abandoned. It was like I walked into a business that had closed. There was a check-in station, closed and unlit, a waiting lounge, again unlit, a chain across a hallway with a stop sign on it and another hallway off to the side. Ok...creepy. After standing and looking around, a gentleman walked in from outside and asked if I needed help (where he came from..no clue). Of course I said yes I am here for an MRI. He points to a phone sitting on the ledge of the check-in desk. Pick up the phone and they will help you. He then leaves. I pick up the phone, it begins ringing. A voice answers from the great beyond. Have I been to registration yet? Um no. Hang on I will be out. Ok. Finally a person walks up behind the chain. I'll get you started on your way to registration. Ok. Several turns down a long, desolate hallway and we reach a set of elevators. Ok take these up a floor...then more directions to registration. Up and away I go. Follow the directions except there is nothing on my left...Lots on my right. No information desk (I am actually at the main hospital entrance). I see a surgery desk. Low and behold, the same gentleman that helped me earlier saves me yet again! Now hurry up and wait and wait and wait. Almost 45 minutes later, it's my turn (the only person ahead of me was the one at the desk when I got there.) Finally registered. Now, to make the looonnngg journey back through the bowels of the hospital.
Back at the deserted desk. Pick up the phone. I'm backkkkk. The tech is now rushed as it is over an hour past my scheduled appointment. Rushes me through a bunch of questions and has me put my purse in a locker. Another tech gets me set up and sucks me in the machine. Oh, btw, this is for my ankle. I put my headphones on and she walks out of the room. No "Are you ok?" Or "We are starting now". Just music. No status checks or updates are given. I begin to feel my toes go numb. Ignore it. Now I involuntarily start tearing do to the extreme discomfort that has now turned into pain. Push the button....mistake!
A voice speaks to me through my headphones.
"What do you need?"
"Are we almost done?"
"NO, what's the problem?!"
"I am in pain, can we re-adjust?"
"NO! We have 20 minutes left. If we stop now, we have to start all over! What do you want to do?!"
"Continue I guess."
Silence.
Machine starts again.
So uncomfortable. I manage to the end somehow.
Out of the machine. I grab at my foot.
"Don't move yet! I have to put the table down!"
"Too bad, I am hurting!"
Table down. Glaring at me as I am not leaving the room fast enough. My foot is not cooperating. Finally stumble out of the room.
"Get your things. Go back out the way you came in."
Hobbling down the hallway, I let myself out of the chained hallway and to the parking lot.
Awful, awful awful.... read more