I called my PCP and asked for a standing order for a PT/INR blood draw. He claimed tto have issued the order. He also DEMANDED thatI go to a 'coumadin clinic.' At the clinic, according to the girl on the phone, they'll test my INR and tell me what dose to take.
I told her that I've been self-testing and self-managing for 11 years - and that the only reason I wanted blood draws was to check my meters.
These fools were insistent that I go to their 'clinic' for management. I don't know where the hell it is, or how much time I would waste going there and back (or how much money it costs this HMO to run extraneous tests), but at least I'll have another meter or blood draw to compare to mine.
BTW - I've been comparing my two meters - Coag-Sense and CoaguChek XS to each other, with daily tests (running me out of strips), and to the hospital's results, in an attempt to see where the results of the two meters diverge. I'll report on anything significant in a week or so. I might report it after another blood draw). This has nothing to do with a 'clinic' but I wanted to do an update somewhere.
I told her that I've been self-testing and self-managing for 11 years - and that the only reason I wanted blood draws was to check my meters.
These fools were insistent that I go to their 'clinic' for management. I don't know where the hell it is, or how much time I would waste going there and back (or how much money it costs this HMO to run extraneous tests), but at least I'll have another meter or blood draw to compare to mine.
BTW - I've been comparing my two meters - Coag-Sense and CoaguChek XS to each other, with daily tests (running me out of strips), and to the hospital's results, in an attempt to see where the results of the two meters diverge. I'll report on anything significant in a week or so. I might report it after another blood draw). This has nothing to do with a 'clinic' but I wanted to do an update somewhere.
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