New doctor--how would you feel?

[palomalou]

I visited a new doctor yesterday, to whom I had been referred by a highly-referred internist. As I waited for the individual in the exam room, I could not help but notice significant dirt in all the corners. The procedure the individual will perform on me will be done in a top-10 hospital, according to USNews, and the unit in which I was seen is a part of that hospital. The longer I sat and waited (which was not a huge amount of time--this was no issue) the more I felt like running out. I just sort of felt like if the exam room is rather dirty, what other corners might be cut as well? I asked the physician, because it kind of came out of my mouth, who assured me that the facility was mopped every night. I regretted saying anything--if I offended enough, who know what could follow? But is there anyone else who would feel unease in the situation, or is my spouse correct, who thought it didn't matter? In the exam room, it probably doesn't, but...

 

[samclem]

But is there anyone else who would feel unease in the situation, or is my spouse correct, who thought it didn't matter? In the exam room, it probably doesn't, but...

I think I'm with your spouse. I don't think that a small amount of grime in the corners of an exam room is a significant indicator of deeper problems at the institution. If you'd seen flies, unclean linens, etc that would be different.
I don't know what the grime was, but water from mopping and buildup from wax/floor sealant can build up along baseboards and in corners, often with a bit of dirt/dust from the room. Ironically, if the room were mopped less, buildup of this type would be less.

 

[aaronc879]

I think I'm with your spouse. I don't think that a small amount of grime in the corners of an exam room is a significant indicator of deeper problems at the institution. If you'd seen flies, unclean linens, etc that would be different.
I don't know what the grime was, but water from mopping and buildup from wax/floor sealant can build up along baseboards and in corners, often with a bit of dirt/dust from the room. Ironically, if the room were mopped less, buildup of this type would be less.

+1

 

[palomalou]

Thank you both! It makes me feel better.

 

[gauss]

Thought I aw blood stains on the curtain and a used syringe on the floor once while waiting for a procedure. Never went back to that facility again and changed PC physician to one that operated out of a different system.

Still trying to get DW out of that system, which she says she will when she ERs.

-gauss