I feel the need to respond to Kristine C's review of my business. I remember she and her beautiful daughter very well. First let me say that in any business you will not be able to please every client or customer. It is impossible for all personalities to mesh. We pride ourselves in caring for our clients as if they were family, and to that end, especially with pregnant or breast feeding mothers, we err on the side of caution. The medication that this client describes has a warning that it does pass through the breast milk and make cause an unwanted affect on the baby. It is also contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy because of fetal affects. The medication can be taken if the mother stops breast feeding and expresses her milk and then resumes breastfeeding when she has completed the medication. When our instructions were questioned, we called two pharmacies to see if the warnings on this medication had recently changed (because often instructions change before we get notice from drug companies), but were told the warnings still applied. Patients are also given the option not to treat until they are finished breast feeding. As for drug company "kick backs," there are strict state and federal laws prohibiting pay backs to providers for medication prescribing. In addition, the medication prescribed is the only medication that treats this particular condition, and in our office, is prescribed in the generic lower cost form.
I am sorry that anyone feels rushed when they see a provider. In our office we allow 30 minutes for a complete physical or annual exam. Sometimes clients take 20 minutes and sometimes they take 45 minutes. We give clients the time they need within reason, as others have appointments and expect to be seen on time.
When clients bring young children to their appointments (and many offices request that you do not bring children), it sometimes becomes difficult to have conversations and perform exams as children become bored. As Kristine knows, I have performed exams with babes in the mother arms so that the child does not become frightened and remains safe.
Our medical assistants are well trained and compassionate to our clients. They make every effort to follow up on problems and assure that the clients are satisfied with their care.
Kristine was right about one thing, there are no MDs in our office. We are a Nurse Practitioner owned and operated medical office. In Washington State Nurse Practitioners can practice independently with full prescriptive authority. We have been in Tacoma since 1998 and in Gig Harbor for the last 3 years. We offer primary care, gynecology, nutritional counseling, marriage and family counseling, massage, and esthetician serves. We care for females ages 5 older and pride ourselves in our comprehensive care.
I hope Kristine finds a provider who will fulfill her needs.
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