Why It Has Become Common Practice To Verbally Abuse Patients For Asking Questions Post COVID
My Formal Complaint to Those We Have Naively Put in Charge of Our Health
Subject: Urgent Complaint Regarding Unprofessional and Unsafe Medical Practices at Idyllwild Health Clinic
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to formally address a deeply troubling experience I had this morning at Idyllwild Health Clinic, which left me not only physically uncomfortable but also questioning the competence and professionalism of your staff.
Let me provide some context: I have had multiple negative experiences with conventional medicine over the years, which has led me to explore alternative healing methods. As an independent writer and documentary television producer, it is standard practice for me to document my experiences in the health and wellness space—both positive and negative. This is an 11-year journey toward healing, and I take it very seriously. My belief is that patients deserve to be treated with the utmost care, respect, and professionalism. Unfortunately, that was not my experience today.
I came in for a simple blood draw to review my thyroid levels. From the outset, I made a request to the nurse that she not use the forehead thermometer gun on me, as I find it traumatic and contrary to my personal health beliefs. I also explained that there is evidence suggesting such devices may contribute to calcification of the pineal gland—a topic I have researched extensively. She dismissively informed me that no such thing occurs, and when I asked her to provide supporting data, she told me “not to be rude”. Since when is asking for data when it relates to my body rude? Regardless, my right as a patient to have my wishes respected should have been upheld.
Further compounding the situation, I informed this nurse that I have small veins, and that a butterfly needle is typically necessary for a successful blood draw. Her response was condescending, stating that there is no difference between a butterfly needle and a regular needle, which is both inaccurate and unprofessional. Please take a moment to review any reputable medical source to clarify that a butterfly needle is, in fact, a smaller, more precise option designed to minimize discomfort, particularly for individuals like myself who experience difficulty with blood draws. In addition, this nurse consistently wreaks of cigarette smoke which is a smell that I find toxic and irritating and does not suggest health is a priority at the Idyllwild health clinic!
When this practitioner was unable to locate a vein in my left arm, she moved to my right arm. She initially brought out a butterfly needle, which led me to believe she had finally acknowledged my needs. However, she abruptly abandoned it in favor of a standard needle. The process was not only painful but shockingly abrupt, leaving a trail of blood on my arm and on the plastic of the chair I was sitting in. When I asked about the butterfly needle, she obnoxiously stated that it was “too small.” This entire experience was both physically traumatic and emotionally upsetting, and I find it completely unacceptable. I am very concerned that her practices were laced with such disregard for my well-being that I now question the cleanliness and competency of the procedure. I hope it was performed according to standard medical ethics, but I am left uncertain.
Let me be clear: as a patient, I should not have to endure such careless treatment. The fact that I even had to request a butterfly needle—and that request was ignored—represents a glaring failure in your clinic’s duty to provide compassionate and competent care. The lack of respect for my preferences and the refusal to acknowledge basic medical facts—such as the difference between needle sizes—illustrates a level of unprofessionalism that falls far below the standard of care I expect and deserve.
Moreover, I paid $20 for this service, which, in comparison to the free service provided by Labcorp, should guarantee a higher level of professionalism and quality. As a full-time resident of Idyllwild, I expect better from a local healthcare provider. I strongly urge you to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the practices at your clinic. I will not let this matter slide, and I will be documenting my experience in detail for both personal records and potential public exposure.
I expect a prompt response to this complaint, along with a clear explanation of the steps your clinic will take to address these serious concerns. If this issue is not addressed appropriately, I will be forced to escalate my complaint to higher authorities.
Long gone are the days where patients get abused and have to slink away in the shadows hoping to have their concerns validated one day. Welcome to the dawning of a new America.
