That is so ridiculous. If he was in an accident then he should be seen for all complaints related to that accident at once. I could see if there were non related complaints that would need a separate appointment or if he needed to see different specialists for different parts of the body (still should be coordinated on the same day if possible)...but making someone who was in an accident of that nature wait and schedule multiple appointments is just ridiculous...especially when many pains can be interconnected. Seems like a ploy to make more money by changing for each appointment separately...which just leaves a bad taste in my mouth...ugh!

I agree. There is absolutely no reason that your son should have to make separate appointments for this. I realize that a doctor only has so much time for each booked slot, but when you are in that kind of accident, it is going to take more time to check everything out properly. Book more time for appointments like this.

I think that many medical professionals treat parts instead of people. So sad it has come to this. How are they going to know which part to fix first?
That's crazy! ~mac

I can't understand limiting the body part check up after a full body vehicular accident and ER visit! That is totally whack. That seems like a set up for a negligence case to me....

So sorry he 's having to jump through hoops to get checked out. I find it inexcusable (and I excuse doctors for a lot).

I hope he's feeling better and everything goes okay. Keep us posted.

That is crazy! Some of the larger hospitals have orthopedic trauma doctors if you have access to one. Are you talking to a central scheduling location or the actual office? It may be the policy and they are simply doing what they have been told. I would try talking to the office itself or even better an office manager. Good luck!

It was the office. Policy at 2 different ortho offices. Craziness.

Want to hear an even more crazy? The ER that treated him after hitting a wall at 70mph and being thrown 70 feet only did x-rays of left hip, left knee & right knee. "Contusions from blunt force trauma". I know we lived in podunk TN, however we were close enough that any major trauma was sent to Nashville. One would think the snowmobile capital state and close enough to a high tourist area in the greater Milwaukee area would have at least a level 4 trauma center that would be able to thoroughly evaluate such an injury. The one he was sent to is a level 3 trauma center and should have known & done better. SMDH

I wonder if the level 3 trauma center was even equipped to handle his injuries. The nature of his accident I feel he should have gone to a level 1 center. I assume he came in on a backboard and c-collar so he would need to be cleared before removing these items. Also even though he was wearing a helmet he still should have been assessed for a head injury.

I'm not a trauma nurse but my sister previously spent several years as a trauma nurse in a high volume level 1 trauma center so I asked her. He should have had x-rays of his neck, back and pelvis in addition to any other areas of concern. They really should have done a head CT just to rule out any possible head injury. Some docs would also do an abdominal CT as well.

I know it can be a pain but you may have to drive a little further to see a proper orthopod, but it may be worth it. I think I mentioned it further, but as any swelling subsides it may reveal an injury that was masked by swelling. I really hope you can find a good doctor that will give him the care he needs.

Keep us posted!

This is where I go on assessment vs reported.

He WALKED to the ambulance. No backboard. No c-collar.
A/O x 4 No LOC, PERRLA, no aphsia, no c/o h/a, no visible bruising/edema/lac
C/O left leg/knee/side/shoulder pain

From that, I believe they r/o head injury without seeing the need for a CT. Apparently they did an abdominal US (which was negative for injury/hemorrhage...although I asked my son if he was pregnant...lol).
I think the biggest thing(s) is that they should have done a chest and complete spine x-ray and even though his assessment didn't necessarily indicate a head injury, a CT would have been a safe call.

He did end up going to a walk-in on Saturday because his co-workers were telling him his shoulders were asymmetric and they were freaking him out about internal bleeding (I re-assured him about that). The MD that saw him works trauma at one of the ER's in the area for his FT job. He said he would have done a head-toe CT but he was able to r/o any fractures/displacement of his shoulder, ribs, hip and knee, as well as confirm no internal bleeding.

I really am not sure if it's a timing/scheduling issue for the practice or an insurance thing but it is ridiculous. Especially if you list "trauma" as one of the conditions you treat. "Trauma" almost always most certainly involves more than one body part.

He is moving better and is returning to focus on the knee and shoulder issues he had prior to the accident. Thank you for all your well wishes and healing thoughts!!!