January 1, 2013 - accident at Outback, need advice

Hey Ron,

Sorry you had a bad experience with that first group. Being a person in the healthcare arena, especially a former employee of Swedish Issaquah, I just wanted to save some healthcare dollars and provider/patient headaches.

Glad you got seen by someone good. Heal up and don't rush it. Despite what people on the internet say, most providers know what they're talking about (I'm sure I'll catch feedback for that).

Thank you Petey, given my experience with a really great doc it only reaffirmed my gut reaction to the first one!

Don't sweat it, RRon, you're banged up - all meant in fun I'm sure.  But one thing to blog thrash about is you are so justified in how you felt about the first guy.  As a specialist physician who needs to use mid-level providers (PA's, NP's) in his practice, I feel compelled to comment on the first orthopedist's behavior.  You broke your humerus in two places.  You deserved to see the orthopedist.  Good on you for giving that joker his walking papers.

Hi Kevino,

This incident was the first time since becoming an adult 32 years ago that I have gone to another specialist due to a bad experience. I've had my primary care physician refer me to someone else for a second opinion, but that's it. I don't doubt that the first specialist knew how to treat a fracture, but even the NP was extremely terse (it was close to quitting time) and didn't give any guidance on anything, pretty much "reviewed your x-ray, keep it in the sling, come back in two weeks".

Cheers

Hey Ron,

Sorry you had a bad experience with that first group.  Being a person in the healthcare arena, especially a former employee of Swedish Issaquah, I just wanted to save some healthcare dollars and provider/patient headaches.

Glad you got seen by someone good. Heal up and don't rush it. Despite what people on the internet say, most providers know what they're talking about (I'm sure I'll catch feedback for that).

it is common to get five different treatment plans for humerus fracture from five different providers and no one is better (except maybe want to avoid surgery).

options include a sling and swaddle, a traction splint, plates and screws, clam shells or sugar tongue splints. the important thing is to make sure radial nerve is not injured.

you dont need to see the surgeon if you are not going to get surgery. most humerus fractures dont need surgery. a PA or a nurse practitioner is the appropriate person to see you (it keeps your insurance affordable). you family doctor doesnt see this as often as the PA and ARNP at the ortho office and doesnt have as easy access to the surgeon if it is needed so much easier to go to ortho office for the check. The one week visit is to check your radial nerve.

The surgeon is always busy even if he does not LOOK busy the moment you walk into his office. That is why he needs to hire a PA and ARNP to screen who need to se the surgeon. Otherwise he would be a machine and have no time to interact with his office staff or go the bathroom.