Dalton Family Practice

I have been going to Dalton Family Practice for over 20 years. All through these years I have received excellent health care. I have generally seen Karah Smith, P. A. She is also, kind and compassionate. I will continue to be seen at this practice for my future health care needs.

My 74 year old mother, *** is a patient of ***s. She had an appointment this week, which was scheduled months back. There were only a few other patients in the clinic at the time she was there. She was sent back into a room, where she had to wait for an hour and a half! That is absolutely cruel to make a senior citizen wait that long!!

To make matters worse, *** didn't even see her. Instead, she was seen by their PA, ***, who just sat in the corner jotting down a few notes while a student nurse checked her. Ten minutes later, they were finished! Mom left there with a headache, she had been coughing, and she did not feel well at all. She was also the last one there! Again, that is a mistreatment of a senior and a human being, and this clinic should be reported.

Be careful the provider you choose for your medical needs!

My first issue resides with being seen for an earache, I was sent home with nothing and everything looked fine. However, the next day I was in the urgent care with an almost ruptured ear drum and given two shots and oral medication. Fast forward to my most recent yearly physical where I mentioned pain for the last few weeks at the site of my appendectomy (from June). After mashing around on my abdominal area, I was sent for a chest x-***, given a steroid shot and some muscle relaxers and told to call back if I didn't get relief. A week later it wasn't better and I called back. The nurse told me I would need to be seen again. Finally, I got an apt for a CT scan at the local diagnostics center for the next week. Upon arrival I was told my apt was canceled by the nurse. The lady at the diagnostics center called the doctors office and ask why. She was told it was because there wasn't enough info and the insurance company denied. The diagnostics center then ask the nurse to call the insurance company since I was still experiencing pain and had already taken off work for this scan, she flat out refused. I was left with no other choice but to leave and go to the doctors office in attempt to get this situation resolved. When I arrived a the office the lady at the front told me there wasn't anyone for me to talk to, she called back to the doctor and nurse that this scan and visit involved, whispered a few things about me into the phone, and then told me that I would have to leave a message. What other choice does someone have after that but to go to the ER to get this scan. The ER doctor called the doctors office (after asking me why they didn't just fix the issue with the insurance since they wanted a chest CT and not an abdominal CT) and they said their notes stated I complained with chest pain ....... when obviously I complained of pain from my appendix area post surgery and this is where the exam came in. I called the office manager, *** the following Monday and she was extremely rude. She first said that it was "rib pain" and attempted to say that would make sense for my appendix area, until I explained the difference between the ribs and abdominal area which she interrupted me and said "Mam' I'm a nurse I know the difference" well... if you know the difference then you understand that chest pain and appendix pain are not the same! She then changed her tune to tell me that it wasn't in the notes at all that I mentioned an appendectomy .... so I'm assuming it's my fault they didn't take adequate notes and I'm "free to take my health care elsewhere" since I obviously called them out on the inability to take notes and listen to patient concerns. Not even an apology.

I do absolutely love a few of the doctors and nurses here, but beware who you choose and if you have a problem, don't think that the right and moral thing will be done, because it won't! Fast forward 3 days after my complaint, I receive a certified letter stating they will no longer be able to "provide medical care." It's a shame our country has people that neglect us in medical care, and don't take responsibility for their actions.