Harborview Hand Clinic

Nasty Temper/​LNI claim don’t go | show details
Currently 1 of 4 stars
Overall Rating
Currently 1 of 4 stars
Accurate Diagnosis
Currently 1 of 4 stars
Bedside Manner
Currently 1 of 4 stars
Spends Time with Me
Saw Dr Vedder f/​a 2^nd opin. 8/​29/​2011. I had surgery for a torn rotator cuff; cubital & ulnar surgery L elbow & wrist. Before my appt w/​Dr V, I faxed over the report f/​the nerve conduction test, 2 disks w/​all MRI’s, my list of concerns & symptoms. Findings from nerve specialist stated «She was w/​finding that revealed left carpal & cubital tunnel syndrome „Sensation was diminished to pinprick entire L hand & medial/​lateral elbow“ „Patient had surgical release, but is still w/​ongoing numbness & pain“ This DR. told me that he didn’t „know what was cut during surgery, but the damage was already done.“ I didn’t notice at the time when my referral was written to Dr. Vedder that the receptionist wrote „BLOTCHED SURGERY“. The combination of these 2 things set the stage f/​what took place in that exam room. I had a 2:15 appt & arrived @1:40 (doc.w/parking ticket) I was put into an exam room just before 2PM. After about 1 ½ hrs a dr. came into the room & spoke w/​me. AT about 4: pm same dr came back & said Dr V would be in soon. My daughter called me at 4:15. Son texted me @ 4:25 & asked if I had seen anyone yet & at 4:26 I texted him back & said NO, probably a huge waste of time anyway» Dr V showed up between 4:30 & 4:35 & (I had now been sitting in an exam rm for over ²⁄₁₂ hrs.) When Dr V entered the room I knew something was wrong. Dr V had formed an opinion of me & why he thought I was there. DR V started berating me for being on LNI. Repeatedly told me «you need to get off the dole» I’m paying for you to be on the dole” I stated what DR Chau told me about something being cut during surgery. Dr Vedder was livid at this remark & sat down next to me. He then proceeded to start pinching the scar over the left elbow & each time he pinched & twisted the skin he said «CAN YOU FEEL THAT» He continued to pinch & twist up the scar & finished up with CAN YOU FEEL THAT, then nothing was cut. I was terrified & crying @ this point. I was in tears & could hardly speak. The berating continued with «LNI has jobs for you & you need to pick one & get a life. He than told me that he was going to call LNI & tell them I didn’t have cubital & carpal tunnel syndrome. The other Dr. n the room never said a word as he was doing his Fellowship with Dr. V. Dr V worked his way over to the exam door & out to the hallway. I picked up the paper work in front of me & followed. Employees had gathered outside that room, but it didn’t stop Dr V from continuing to berate me. 1) DR Vedder left bruises over the scar. 2) I called customer relations & sent an email & pics of the bruises. 3) Harborview refused to give me the name of the other doctor that was present & a witness. 4) I call Harborview security & and the Property management Co looking f/​video camera’s for the 6^th floor, elevator & PK GAR. 5) HBVW did their investigation & stated that Dr V & DR Ko had a lengthy conversation w/​me & encouraged me; yet wrote their report like it was going to someone that was going to be making decisions about my LNI; denied pinching & bruises & implied that I had put the bruises on myself. 6) Finished their investigation & made no mention of witnesses or made any effort to find the employees that heard & saw what went on. 7) Just how did this lengthy conversation & encouragement take place when my Parking Ticket shows I exited the garage @4:52. I had to get to the elevator, go dn 6 fls, cross the foyer, take a 2^nd elevator to the prk. Gar. Find my car, drive up several fls & leave? When I got home I saw that I had both copies of the diagnosis from Dr V & KO. It was signed off before they entered the room & states exam ended @ 5pm. Dr V sat down «his» paper work just before he started the pinching & forgot about it. HBVW didn’t even have a copy of it. The clinic closes @ 4:30 & this is why I was left for 2 ½ hrs; I was being punished by Dr V. I never asked HBVW f/​a dime. Just an apology & this why LNI patients end up basket cases. Their diagnosis written in advance & signed off as 5PM was «Neuropathy– L medium/​ulnar nerves.»
I stated that I would just accept an apology & the opportunity to sit down with Dr Vedder & ask him why he treated me this way. I stated that their lawyers could draw up a document that stated that the apology would be my sole and exclusive remedy to any further compensation. Amanda in customer relations just resent their «investigation» of the incident and stated that Harborview spoke with both doctors and they denied everything and for good measure Amanda attached a little yellow sticker to the report that said «there will no face to face meeting with Dr Vedder. Found another review that said Dr Vedder had the temper of a viper. True!