Can a doctor refuse you treatment at there office if you don't follow their rules to a T?

Question

My OB doctor was giving me a hard time the last time I was there. Because I'm diabetic and sometimes I forget to write down my blood sugars levels after I test. Well, the one lady (whom I'm having problems with-she's very rude) said that if I don't start following their specifc guidelines, they could refuse treatment. She's been giving me a hard time since the beginning and I think it's just her, because the last appointment I went to I saw ANOTHER lady and she was SO NICE and said I WAS DOING A GREAT JOB. Is it just a personal issue this other, mean lady has with me? Or can they really refuse treatment if I forget to write my sugars down for a week?

My boyfriend went with my to an appointment and said the "mean" nurse was belittling me and putting me down and HE NOTICED IT without me saying anything. So, it's not just me.

Also, have to add....I DO write my sugars down, but one week when I FIRST WAS DIAGNOSED with diabetes I forgot because everything was so scrambled in my life and that's when she did it. I"VE BEEN WRITING THEM DOWN ever since...but these past 2 weeks I was sick and didn't do it and I KNOW she's going to give me a hard time.

Answer 1

If you are in the USA, YES they CAN and WILL refuse treatment- my DR dropped me while I was in the hospital IN LABOR because I ate some food and I was only supposed to have ice chips. I had been in labor for 15 hours and I had a couple of chicken nuggets!!! Anyway, the DR on call had to deliver me, which was fine, and I looked into suing my original DR and found out they can drop you at any time for any reason. (Turns out a lady from a "big money" family in our town was scheduled for a C-section when I went into labor, and I was on Medicaid, makes you think, huh? I know you should always listen to your DR but I literally ate a couple bites of my friend's food, I really don't think that was good reason to drop my care when my baby was born 2 hours later! I was 8 cm dilated!)

Answer 2

It seems like a difference of approach. You do realize that as a diabetic your baby is at risk? You do realize you have to keep a handle on your blood sugar levels? I can understand she would be miffed with you because you don't seem to take it that seriously, just forgetting. You shouldn't forget, it is not safe for your baby.

And yes, a doctor can refuse treatment if you don't follow the rules because they do not want to held liable if anything goes wrong.

And as a question, how can you 'forget' to write down the results after you test? The two go together, test your blood, record the results.

Answer 3

Honey, you need to find a new doc ASAP. You do not need one that is going to be a jerk. YOU pay THEM. Not the other way around. They are the employee and you are the boss in this relationship. Having been through 4 pregnancies I can certainly understand accidently forgeting to write something down every now and then, and the OB should have too. I really think you should REFUSE to have her as your doctor. If I were you I would also send this doc a letter stating your reasons for dismissing her as your doc, perhaps that will teach her to be nicer to others. The job of a doctor is to take carte of you and make sure you stay healthy and treat illness when you aren't, it is not to nag, gripe, or b**** at you. Thats just my two sense though. Good luck!

Answer 4

They can fire you, but they would have to make sure that you have another doc since you are preggo. Have you talked to the doctor about this particular nurse. Maybe you can talk to her and ask that oyu always be seen by another nurse. I don't rally understand why you are not writing down your sugars...I hope that you understand how important this is. The doctor can only help you if you follow your treatment plan. What if something happens to you or your baby? You would only have yourself to blame.Just try to do better and write everything down...ok?

Answer 5

They can't refuse treatment but you have to keep in mind, a pregnant diabetic woman is considered high risk. That woman may seem rude, but in all honesty, it sounds like she's concerned about your baby's health, which is her job. Make it a rule of thumb to take note of your sugars EVERYTIME. If you have the time to test, you ohave the time to jot dwn a couple of numbers.. think of your own health, as well as your baby's.

Answer 6

I would just make appointments with the women you're comfortable with.
If that's not possible, then speak up. Tell her politely that you don't appreciate her tone with you, that you are trying your best, and that if she continues to give you problems YOU will go somewhere else.
That should shut her up.

Answer 7

I hate to sound like the rude nurse and doctor, but I will explain to you why it is important to write down your sugar levels.

The main worry is that too much glucose will end up in the baby's blood. When that happens, your baby's pancreas needs to produce more insulin to process the extra glucose. All this excess blood sugar and insulin (if you take insulin) and cause your baby to make more fat and put on extra weight, particularly in the upper body.

This can lead to what's called macrosomia. A macrosomic baby may be too large to enter the birth canal. Or the baby's head may enter the canal but then his shoulders get stuck. In this situation, called shoulder dystocia, your practitioner and her assistants will have to use special maneuvers to deliver your baby. Delivery can sometimes result in a fractured bone or nerve damage, both of which heal without permanent problems in nearly 99 percent of babies. (In very rare cases, the baby may suffer brain damage from lack of oxygen during this process.) The maneuvers needed to deliver a broad-shouldered baby can lead to injuries to the vaginal area or require a large episiotomy for you.

Your baby may also have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) because his body will still be producing extra insulin in response to receiving extra glucose from you. Your delivery team will test his blood sugar at birth by taking a drop of blood from his heel. If it's low, you'll want to feed him as soon as possible, either by breastfeeding or giving him some formula or sugar water. (In severe cases of hypoglycemia, he might be given an IV glucose solution.)

Your baby may also be at somewhat higher risk for jaundice, polycythemia (an increase in the number of red cells in the blood), and hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood). If your blood sugar control is especially poor, your baby's heart function could be affected. Some studies have found a link between severe gestational diabetes and an increased risk for stillbirth in the last two months of pregnancy. And finally, having gestational diabetes makes you about twice as likely to develop preeclampsia as other pregnant women.

Answer 8

You need to schedule your appointments around when she isn't there...They can't refuse treatment...its for your sake if oyu don't do it.

Answer 9

IF you are having major problems with a nurse I would speak to someone about it because they may or may not know. If this other nurse was at the same facility or at another I would request to see her at all times. Or at least as to be seen on the days while she is working. Sometimes personalities clash and one nurses way of handling something doesn't always work. I was just at the hospital for 5 days and had MANY different nurses. Some of which I liked, and many of which I did NOT like. Just hang in there and I would definetly speak to someone about it. Although sometimes, mainly in my case, you just have to grin and bear it!

Answer 10

Diabetes is a very complex disease.The one Dr.wants you to record your blood sugar in order to monitor your condition.We go to Dr's. to cure a disease or heal ourselves.Makes good sense to go along with the Dr's. routine in order to heal or control your affliction.If you don't abide by the Dr's. recommendations.the Dr's. can say that they can't help you because you refuse to assist them in trying to resolve your problem.Do yourself a favor.Help others help you.Try and do as Dr's ask.For your own good.It is your body