Echocardiogram
***I have critiqued both administration and the health professionals hence the longer review***
I had to organise a relatively urgent Echocardiogram after I needed to discharge early from hospital. Reception/Admin staff were exceptionally lovely and got me an appt as quickly as possible while also considering travelling for me (I was prepared to travel but they definitely took my home location into consideration). They also were able to confirm later in the day the referral was faxed through and that they had added my GP to the referral so she would get the results at my request. It was a pleasant experience.
However, I’ve had a lot of issues with healthcare in the past 5 years or so and I struggle attending many appointments as a result. The administration staff were absolutely lovely on arrival, easy going but still professional and also very logical and didn’t ask me to fill out information I already had done.
The sonographer who ran the Echo was AMAZING! I have had quite a few Echo’s in my life due to my underlying health conditions. I’ve had pleasant people but I tend to associate this test with a decent amount of pain! However, this sonographer (she was working at Glen Waverley this day), was able to easily adjust for my struggle that day to be on my left side as my body dislocated lots of joints (including hips and shoulders) and this day I couldn’t balance myself AND provide her access to my chest.
She got me settled in another position and ensured I was comfortable. She then asked me to let her know if she was pressing too hard or hurting me. I have never ever had an echo (or many ultrasounds even) that were so gentle. She was also quick. However, it did not feel like she didn’t know what she was doing, very much the opposite, it absolutely felt like she was extremely competent. Normally I would’ve talked more but I wasn’t well enough. She continued to ensure I was okay but not every two seconds, just the times I would’ve checked on me if I’d been in her position.
I have to find a new cardiologist (which was the case before the need for this echo occurred) and now with the professionalism I experienced and clearly the ability of staff to adapt to patients and still do a good job means I will be investigating to see if this practice (which has locations around Melbourne) is the right place for me as a first place to start.