Finding a nephrologist

[lilin]

I've been trying to find a kidney doctor since May 22, and I'm just wondering if it usually takes this long to get an appointment with a nephrologist, or if I'm using the wrong doctors or procedures. Any helpful info you can throw my way would help ease the knots in my stomache.

Thanks,
lin

[1stwahine]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

My MAMA's kidney doctor is Shiuh-Feng Sherwin Ching, MD
Nephrologist*Kidney Specialst
St Francis Medical Office Building
2228 Liliha Street, Suite 200
Honolulu, Hi 96817

Tel: 808 533-3130
Physician's Echange: 808 524-2575

Good Luck!

Auntie Lynn

[tutusue]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

There always seems to be a long wait to see a *new* doctor; typically 3 months has been my experience. I'm having the same problem. Not a nephrologist tho'!

Do you have an internist here who can refer you AND call to set up the appt.? That tends to speed things up.

Good luck to you.

[Adri]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

I agree with tutusue. It usually goes much faster if you get referred by your primary doctor. If that's what you've done and you're still waiting, perhaps your initial doctor could help move your appointment forward. For kidney problems, it's my understanding that a doctor afflilated with St. Francis is the way to go.

[Lei Liko]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

I agree with tutusue. It usually goes much faster if you get referred by your primary doctor. If that's what you've done and you're still waiting, perhaps your initial doctor could help move your appointment forward. For kidney problems, it's my understanding that a doctor afflilated with St. Francis is the way to go.

I agree with this.

I was hospitalized last September with a really bad kidney infection -- I was septic, went into a convulsion, and thought I was a goner!

While I didn't have my own kidney specialist during my stay at St. Francis, I was taken very good care of my a wonderful team of nurses and kidney specialists, and I'm proud to say that I've been healthy ever since.

[1stwahine]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

I agree with tutusue.For kidney problems, it's my understanding that a doctor afflilated with St. Francis is the way to go.

Or recommended by a patient or a someone who knows the physician.

Auntie Lynn

[Linkmeister]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

From the YellowPages.com site for Nephrologists Hawaii:

http://tinyurl.com/j39fj

There are 18 nephrologists there (two pages). Surely cold calls to them might get you an appointment with one.

[lilin]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

The whole situation of finding a doctor has been baffling and frustrating. After having a stent put in and having various labs and tests done, Dad is told by the kidney surgeon (Dr. A) that we need to see a nephrologist. He gives us three names. I call dad's family doctor (who he only changed to this year and seen once) and ask her to refer us. Her reply was that since dad was on a PPO plan, he could go on his own w/o a referral.

Okay, so I get on the phone and call the nephrologists. Here's their answer: "We don't take new patients without a referal." They'll consider taking Dad as a patient if I get his labs and latest tests faxed by the referring doctor. Hmm... this prompts a call back to Dr. A's office to get the info faxed. It took 6 working days to get the records to Dr. B's office. Another week waiting for them to tell me that Dr. B is out sick and their scheduler is on vacation.

This prompts another round of calls to Dr. C's office where I am now trying to figure out if they'll take my Dad as a patient. Finding a doctor shouldn't be so difficult, should it? I guess I'm venting and wondering what I'm doing wrong.

Thanks for all your advice so far. How is Queens reputation for kidney treatment? We were told it was the best facility, but right now it seems like all the doctors with people skills are at St. Francis.

[CranBeree]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

Thanks for all your advice so far. How is Queens reputation for kidney treatment? We were told it was the best facility, but right now it seems like all the doctors with people skills are at St. Francis.

St. Francis is the only hospital that will do kidney transplants - that's why most of the specialists are from there.

[Linkmeister]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

Finding a doctor shouldn't be so difficult, should it? I guess I'm venting and wondering what I'm doing wrong.

You're not doing anything wrong. This is the American healthcare system at its worst. "A new patient? Oh, man, a whole new set of histories to take, forms to fill out, insurance claims to code...can't somebody else do it?"

Hell, my Kaiser doctor left town back in November. Have I gotten a new doctor assigned to me? Nope. If I want an appointment, first I have to pick an Adult Medicine doctor. Who's accepting new patients at Kaiser? Beats me.

We need a new healthcare system.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

St. Francis is the only hospital that will do kidney transplants - that's why most of the specialists are from there.

St. Francis Liliha is the only hospital in Hawaii that does solid organ transplants.

I have worked at both St. Francis Liliha and Queens in the critical care units.

All the doctors who work at St. Francis also work at Queens. IMHO, Queens is a much more stable environment as far as patient care is concerned. I left St. Francis after the nurses' strike because I felt the environment was unsafe---both in terms of patient care and in terms of keeping my license.

Knowing what I know about St. Francis, the ONLY thing I would have done there is a transplant. And that's because I would have no other choice, here in Hawaii.

I would NEVER have any cardiac surgery done there. NEVER. 'Nuff said.

[1stwahine]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

St. Francis Liliha is the only hospital in Hawaii that does solid organ transplants.

I have worked at both St. Francis Liliha and Queens in the critical care units.

All the doctors who work at St. Francis also work at Queens. IMHO, Queens is a much more stable environment as far as patient care is concerned. I left St. Francis after the nurses' strike because I felt the environment was unsafe---both in terms of patient care and in terms of keeping my license.

Knowing what I know about St. Francis, the ONLY thing I would have done there is a transplant. And that's because I would have no other choice, here in Hawaii.

I would NEVER have any cardiac surgery done there. NEVER. 'Nuff said.

I, too worked many years at St. Francis Hospital-Liliha. Unlike you, I was a NA. I worked all the floors from Critical Care to Oncology. I got burned out and decided another field was better for me. However, working at St. Francis taught many things in Life.

The quality of care I was taught to give in School and asked to give at St. Francis was the same. No less. Each day I made sure I gave 100%. I treated all my patients as if they were my own Ohana. My fellow co-workers did the same.

Several years ago, I returned to St. Francis Hospital, when my step dad suffered a stroke. I was appalled to see and hear the way things had deteroriated in the quality in which is given in patient care. I observed in horror as I saw how other patients were being treated, taken care of and improperly moved. Sometimes, their call bell not being answered.

I did make my observations known. It went unheard. I talked to some of my co-workers whom still were employed there. They only waited to retire. I was sad. The St. Francis I had loved and cherished was no more.

This past January 2006, my MAMA became ill. I promised myself not to take her to St. Francis Hospital - Liliha. I forgot in the hurry. We reached ER and she was seen ASAP! My Ohana was allowed to see her before she was taken to CCU.

My insides were in knots. I wanted to have her transported to Queens. However, MAMA said she'll be fine. She trusted St. Francis. In the days and nights that followed, I observed every detail like a hawk. My MAMA was treated like a Queen. The other patients were taken care of as before. The ratio per Nurse and Patient, again like before. The quality and expertise that is expected by St. Francis Employees and Health Caregivers...back in full swing!

The hospital itself was sparkling. The employees once again smiling. It wasn't gloomy nor a place where unhappiness roamed. Yes, I too - spent many years at St. Francis - Liliha. I know first hand what it was like. The bad and the good. I've worked with and know many of the physicians, nurses personally.

Like everything in Life ~ there is the ying and the yang. St. Francis may have been in the dark. However, it is in the Light again!

Will I trust Francis Hospital with my MAMA again or any of my Ohana or me? I sure will! In the coming months we have two operations schedualed!
Nuff said.

Alyn Vasquez
Former NA (3MA/3MB)
St. Francis Hospital - Liliha

[CranBeree]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

i would agree. i hate st. francis liliha/west and i've been a patient at both. i don't care for their nurses or their patient care. the thing that sucks is that st francis is the only option for kidney patients needing a transplant.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

To Alyn:

I am happy to hear that your family member has received good care at St. Francis-Liliha. I am sure that many patients have, and wish her the best in her future visits.

However, I can not dismiss what I have seen on the basis of anecdotal testimonials. I have been a critical care nurse for years (originally from metropolitan area NY), and can only re-iterate that, based on my personal experience as a nurse at SFH-Liliha, I would never willingly subject myself or my loved ones to treatment there.

As stated before, their solid-organ transplant program is the only option in the state. The program founded by Dr. Livingston Wong and carried on by his daughter Dr. Linda Wong and her associates is exemplary. I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Linda Wong's skill as a surgeon. I was pleased to work with her general surgical and liver and kidney transplant patients---she is a professional of the highest order.

To address other areas of care, I was truly horrified and appalled at some of the things I saw going on there, perpetrated by physicians. Ethical travesties, IMHO. I will not go into details here but, based on my years of working there, there is a huge list of physicians that I would never allow near me or my loved ones. The very saddest part is that it seems to me that they practice without censure there---their ethics committee is out to lunch, IME.

[1stwahine]

Re: Finding a nephrologist

Aloha WindwardOahuRN!

Your post concerns me as a former employee, as a daughter of a patient and also having Ohana as patients there. I thank you for posting such an informative and alarming personal experience in which you have seen for yourself.

Because of it, I am not taking it lightly. My MAMA's life is very special to me. As well as my Ohana and everyone else in the community. I will personally make sure your comment is seen by many of the physicians, nurses and employees whom I know ~ who are affliated with St. Francis Hospital. I know many.

Life is precious. In the Field of Medicine and Caregiving - to give any less than what is expected...is none at all.

Mahalo,

Alyn