No Badge?

I've been absent for the past few days thanks to a last ditch effort to get in all of Paige's tests and specialist appointments before starting back to school.

Yesterday we headed to the children's hospital to have blood work and a sweat test to check for Cystic Fibrosis. Paige has chronic sinus infections (since she was a baby-yes I know the sinus cavities are not formed then-hers were) and the mucous is very thick. We are seeing a new allergist/immunologist who suggested testing for CF. Although her symptoms (very thin, constipation, chronic sinusitis, etc) can be easily traced back to her early birth, quite a few docs have now suggested we rule out CF.

So, we find ourselves at the lab (in the children's hospital), first thing in the morning. The tech (not sure if she is considered a phlebotomist) was rude. I really hate it when rude medical people work with kids. Her and another tech (who has absolutely nothing to do with our procedure) are chatting about their friends and the "wild night out" they had a few days ago. She never once introduced herself. I'm so put off (after only 2 minutes) that I look up to see her badge and make a mental note of her name. Yes, I was formulating my letter as I sat there and it wasn't going to be nice. One problem... no badge. I was surprised since the hospital has posters all over the hallways instructing you to make sure all personnel have a badge. So, I nicely (honestly) asked if they did away with their badge system. She got quite rude and explained that she slept at her mothers house last night and forgot her badge.

Now it's finally time for Paige to have the sweat test. Paige is an excellent patient. She does what she is told without any argument-no matter what is being done to her. Her ONLY request is that you tell her what you are going to do, step by step, before you touch her. I don't think it's too much to ask. Paige then asks the tech, "Can you please just tell me what you are going to do, before you do it?" The tech rolled her eyes at Paige and started to do the procedure-without explaining! ARGH! The copper plates are placed on her arm and the machine is turned on. Paige only flinches and the woman rolls her eyes again! Mind you, Paige has not even made a noise.

When the sweat test is over it's time to have the blood test. Paige sits on my lap, offers her arm (she is a pro-having over 100 blood tests) and asks, "Are you going to use a butterfly needle?" The tech doesn't even acknowledge Paige. When Paige sees the full tray of vials she asks (with a trembly voice) "do you have to take that much blood today?" The tech laughed at her! Paige asked her, once again, to please say each step out loud. The tech wipes down her arm and sticks her with the needle. No warning. Paige still sat there, without even flinching. When she was done the tech just walked out of the room.

No offer of a sticker for the best patient in the world.

No offer of praise for the best patient in the world.

Nothing.

How convenient that she wasn't wearing her badge. I'll still be making a phone call next week, when Paige is back in school and I can be free with my words.

If you are in the medical profession and can't stand kids... please stay away from the children's hospitals!