| rev:text
| - My first experience with PIMC was with my dad in the dental department. I'll admit, at first I was antsy about the care my dad (and later me) would receive. He had his dental emergency resolved within 4 hours for a walk in ( they take up to 30 walkins a day and the lines start at 6am... )
When I lost private insurance, I came here. I had no idea what to expect. I have utilized many of the services at PIMC and have been pretty impressed with the continuity of care I've received.
I hear many people complaining about it. Here's been my experience with various departments and my recommendations for getting around with ease:
1. When first coming here you have to get established through the star clinic ( urgent care). Then, you get a PIMC record number and can use the other services. You must get a referral from star clinic for a primary care physician. Once you have a PCP, things are SO much better.
*many people choose not to get or ask for a PCP. When doing so, they have to visit the star clinic or ER for all services. THIS can create frustration because the wait times vary so much and there's no body watching you from a holistic perspective.
2. The ER is just like most others. Some days and times are crazy busy and other times it's empty. The average wait time for ME and my son the dozen or so times we've been here is about 4 hours. Pretty typical for an ER these days.
3 PCP - Once you are established with a PCP, you can make appointments and things go really quickly. *TIP: Call in the early afternoon or late afternoon. Mornings are busy and you may get frustrated trying to reach them. Sometimes the phone systems get weird and do a loop.
4. The heart/cardiologist- Dr. Wilson is amazing. Getting appointments is easy.
5. Ortho - WALK in to make an appointment and you get in within 48hours. Calls are spotty.
6. X-ray is pretty seamless for walkins. The X-ray waiting room area is always
Busy because it is shared with the lab.
7. Lab - other than sometimes waiting - my average wait time is 15 minutes. I have been here a hundred times. - lots of lab work.
8. CT scans and MRI's - with appointments you get in fairly quickly. I get results via mail about 2 weeks after.
9. Pharmacy! The pharmacy had gotten better over the years (I've been going here for 5 years). This is why I rated PIMC a 4 instead of a 5. The pharmacy *always* takes an hour to get medications ready. There are two - the main one in the main building and there is a PCP main pharmacy in the PCP clinic.
If you don't pick up rxs by 5 pm at the primary care pharmacy, your rx may be there the next day or they may be xfrd to the main pharmacy. The PCP one sometimes takes an hour and 1/2.
I have my meds mailed to me which works well but if you physically visit a dr and get a Rx, you have to go to the pharmacy and physically request they be mailed - if you want that.
10. Behavioral health is another beast. They have changed their walk in policy a few times. What I love is that my psych doctor and my PCP are on the same page and share information. I love the continuity of care. My psych dr has changed recently due to massive turnover there. I suspect it will take a few more months for them to get readjusted but they have done a great job for me and my son and they are super responsive.
11. Counseling - they have some Counselors that do a good job. Again, once you are established with behavioral health, appointments and everything is SO much easier.
12. Foot doctor - super easy to get in and great care.
13. There is a little snack area on the basement level of the main hospital building. They have some stuff to eat to help as you wait. There's also some Better than usual snack vending machines when you get off the elevator at the basement level.
14. Periodontist and oral surgery. - I LOVE the doctors here - I see Dr Smith and Dr Harmatz. They are in tune with each other and do a thorough job. Seriously.
15. OB/GYN - great drs
PROS:
1. Once you are established, you are IN and things are relatively easy to schedule.
2. More streamlined process for star clinic!
3. FREE
4. Continuity of care.
5. My PCP Dr. Kalangi is so compassionate, thorough and smart.
6. Mail order prescriptions.
7. They are PROACTIVE with shots, immunizations and tests.
8. The lab work results get to the doctor within AN HOUR. Seriously! I've always had my dr call same day with lab results. They share the results so quickly. Nice to have an on site lab.
CONS:
1. PARKING - it's a serious issue! Another reason I did 4 stars.
2. Pharmacy confusion and wait times. ALso, you can only pick up medications at the main pharmacy during certain hours. It would be nice t be able
To pick up anytime.
3. The wait time to get in to a behavioral health doctor can vary. For me, it was same day. For my son, same thing. For my daughter, 6 weeks.
As for the customer service, like anywhere, it depends on the person and department.
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