My
24-year-old daughter experienced the same delay in diagnostic tests
from the Woodland Hills Kaiser in 1999 for worsening back pain. She
requested and was refused an X-ray for six months.
This
late diagnosis of cancer resulted in her death in 2005. She
thought winning the arbitration in 2003 would improve how Kaiser
physicians treated medical complaints. But based on Anna Rahm's
experience, whose leg was amputated after a long-delayed MRI, care has
clearly not improved.
So
what is the real lesson? Kaiser's priority continues to be its
bottom line, so patients must be proactive and vigilant in their care.
For
instance, if refused diagnostic testing or care, request that the
physician note in your chart that he's refusing your request. Also
maintain a detailed paper trail of medical care requests and denials,
and don't be afraid to ask for help from administration.
As
patients, changing our mind-set regarding our care will hopefully
result in fewer bad outcomes.
Hillarie Levy
Simi Valley