Military hospital emergency room refused to evaluate my sons.....?

Question

My son may have StrepThroat, but I could 't get a same day appointment at our Military Hospital, even though we have TriCare Prime. They offer us a walk in, throat culture eval only (results in about 72 hours).
No physician was available, however, The intern that took the culture said "Your sons tonsils are red and swollen. It looks very painful." But she couldn't offer any meds for pain. So we left.
Later that night, conditions got worse so my wife took him to the militarys Emergency Room. On check-in, the tech noticed that my son had been in earlier that day and told my wife "Since your son was in earlier, we can't do anything. We can't treat him until the results come back." My wife and son were told to leave.
Not one person looked at my sons throat just to make sure it wasn't serious. And once again, no pain relief meds were offered.

My question: Should I file a complaint against the hospital? In my humble opinion, that was PI$$ POOR service by an Emergency Room.

Answer 1

It is hard to look at this in an objective way for you since you are the parent. The child was in pain but was not having difficulty breathing and was conscious. The culture was taken and was being processed. The only thing they could have done was offer Motrin or Tylenol and tell you to have him stay on a liquid diet of either hot or cold, which ever provides the most relief from the symptons. They can't treat what they haven't diagnosed. Doctors are shying away from antibiotics for everything since you can build up an immunity to them from over use. And without knowing the results fo the test they didn't know what to prescribe. As parents we want to protect our kids and make them better "right now" sometimes that just isn't possible. Did they later get you the results and treat the condition?

Answer 2

Not being able t get a same day, especially in peds, sadly is not that unusual. While I would have asked for pain meds, all they would have given you is motrin or tylenol. Now, I have laawys been told that when we could not be seen in the clinics, going to the ER was an option. Now since the test was already in, they probably could not have gotten anything back any sooner BUT they should have been able to get you something for the pain if Tylenol/motrin had been ineffective. They also should have examined him to see if there was any swelling in his neck or other areas. Because of that, I would call the patient liason for the medical facility and file a complaint. Just so you know, as a Prime member, you could have taken your child to the nearest civilian hospital and recieved treatment that way.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, complaints won't matter. This is the military hospitals after all and once you joined the military, you can't file suits either. Except for that one case in Florida years ago. But you should be able to go to a local hospital (outside base, if any) and take your son there. He shouldn't be waiting this long to get treated. You can also try to call the Tricare Prime insurance company and ask them if they can refer you to be seen by a local doctor where you are staying. Best of luck and I hope your son will be better soon...take care..

Answer 4

That was total piss.s.sssss. !!! You should go to a real emergency room . I work at an E.R. in Florida . We do strep screens all the time , results come back in less than an hour . I would file a complaint if I were you . I used to be in the Navy . So I know how there E.R.s are . They suck . All the docs are interns , the staff is usually under trained Narcicist . And they are just plain lazy . If your kid hasn't gotten treament already take him now , Strep can get really bad quick .

Answer 5

Sick 'em Lady!!!
I hope you have taken care of the medical problem even if you did have to go somewhere else.

I would see a lawyer because it they could tell your son needed his tonsils out then someone should have been called in to deal with it.

What I think should have happened is that a doctor should have seen him and either had an emergency surgery or he'd have spent the night and the doctor would have ripped them out in the morning depending on how serious the tonsils were.
Or he'd have had to come back in the morning either way.
Doctors are so business now instead of care.

Answer 6

It doesn't. Seems nobody in congress wants to tackle that issue. When a politician tells you universal health care does not include illegals, do not believe them. The fact, as I understand it, is the wording in this bill is such that, by it's wording and what it DOESN'T say, illegals can still go to emergency rooms and CANNOT be refused treatment. Thus, we STILL pay for them to be treated. Dems feel this is the humane thing to do. Illegals are not stupid people...they know this and take full advantage of it. There is no politician that wants to take a stand on this issue.

Answer 7

YES!!

If I had a child and were in your situation, I would file a complaint quicker than sh.it! It shouldn't matter whether or not the child has already been "seen", the ER is there for a reason, and a doctor is ALWAYS on call-NO MATTER WHAT. If not, adoctor is (and should be) called to the emergency room.

[ Heavens, does this sound like LRMC ]

I wish you all the best of luck, and I hope your son gets better soon.

Answer 8

A doctor has to be there to prescribe any medicines. If there wasn't one available then you are out of luck. I don't know why it takes 72 hours for results though but then again its the military.

Answer 9

I think it is too. I would first look it up on the internet under military hospital complaints or something like that and go from there. Hope your boys are better.

Answer 10

You weren't at Reynolds, were you? Sounds like typical military hospital treatment. I don't know that filing a complaint would do much, but maybe it'd make you feel better.