I waited a couple weeks because I wanted to be less upset before I wrote this. I came to LER with terrible middle/low back pain, no fever, and having it for 2 days with little relief. Check in nurses-great, seen by the doctor-quickly. They started with urine sample and Dr said he thinks we should do labs to rule things out because there was blood and Leukocytes present. He said a CAT scan to rule out kidney stone. The nurse (super sweet) came in to do an IV and I was thrown off and asked for just labs as I didn’t understand the need for an IV. Meanwhile a tech comes in at the same time to sign a paper for what I thought was for the CAT scan (like you sign off for an x-ray and the risks) with little explanation. So I’m in pain, waiting for the IV nurse to begin and he hands me the paper to sign all at the same time. CAT scan happens quickly and I was told it would take 45 min (which in reality it was almost 1.5 hours..but oh well I get it) Dr then comes in, says I have a kidney stone (but in my kidney so no pain associated with that) and says it’s just back pain, prescribes a muscle relaxer and anti inflammatory. I asked him about the kidney stone and that’s when he explained that I would have known it if I would have been passing it…the pain would have been so great…so why did you do all that in the first place?? I explained my pain had been ongoing for 2 days. So, I was a little annoyed (but relieved that it wasn’t the passing of a stone) at that moment for the cat scan as if he knew (as a dr should know) that it couldn’t be a stone passing as to why he did it but again, oh well. Then I walk up to pay and was hit with the ER charge that NO ONE told me about! That was the paper I signed but it was NEVER explained that I was moving from urgent care to Emergency. It is my fault for not reading what I was signing, I get that, but I truly thought it was for the CAT scan releases. The lady up front of course said over and over “but you signed it” and went back for a few minutes and came back to tell me the Tech told me. I can promise you HE DID NOT! So, if you made it this far here’s my beef: 1. First urine sample, came back I had trace amounts of blood and leukocytes. I get doing lab to look further (I guess) but Why in the world would you send me for a CAT scan for trace amounts!! Dr. Did not share it in that manner. Didn’t tell me trace amounts…sounded more concerned. 2. Why would they not do labs first and then suggest a CAT scan? 3. Dr BARELY touched me to see where my pain was. He pushed (I guess feeling kidneys, ovaries) but no manipulation to say, “hey this is your blah,blah muscle, I’m sure that’s it” 4. Techs should be clear before asking you to sign. That was such a scam! We (myself and family ) have been here numerous times over the years and I’ve always felt they have been fair, caring, and that you get good medical treatment/explanation. This is the 1st time that it felt like a complete money grab, scam, sham, you name it. I’m considering finding a new place for myself and family after this. It really upset me. I felt you all should know so you can do better for others in the future!
