CD
Clover Dale
May 31, 2019
This is a long review.
First visit to Dr. Zomback. Appointment was for 10 a.m. Arrived 10 minutes earlier to fill out forms. There was one other person in waiting room. She was filling out forms. I overheard the two, behind the desk, staff persons discussing a patient who had just left. They not only complained about him but talked about the patient's medical issues. They were indifferent to the fact that they could be heard easily.
I interrupted and asked, "Isn't that confidential information?" Clearly surprised, one of them paused and then said, in a grouchy voice, "NO." Wrong!!!!!!!!!! Does Dr. Zomback know what's happening in the front office?
When filling out multiple pages asking for information, some of the questions were unusual and perplexing. Only one example - there were questions regarding immunizations. Not a problem, but if you were to answer NO to any (you did not get that immunization), the next question is "Why?" The financial information page, a full page, has you sign off/agree to manymanymany agreements.
After completing forms, I sat down. It was time for my appointment. However, the other person in the waiting room was called in to see the doctor! FORTY-FIVE minutes later, I was escorted into an examining room, told to take off my socks and shoes, and sit in a large padded chair with footrest in upright position. Did desk staff apologize and say the doctor was running late or that he had had an earlier patient emergency, or ? NO. The set up is not designed for those with some physical disabilities or the elderly with, for example, arthritis or back problems. Examples: shoes and socks are put on floor next to chair which is elevated. At end of appointment, one either has to slide off chair and stand barefoot on floor to put on shoes and socks or bend over, hopefully reach the shoes without falling out of the chair. If you have a purse the only place for it is at your side on the chair. If a small, high table was next to the examining chair it would be more patient convenient and safer.
Another issue:
When one goes for a medical exam, it is customary that the "examining table" on which one reclines always has a paper "protector" to be sanitary. There was no paper protection where my bare feet rested. Did I know if any of Dr. Zomback's patients prior to my appointment had anything contagious? Did I know if, where my bare feet rested, was sanitized before I sat down? NO.
After waiting another ten minute , Dr. Zomback finally entered the examining room. Did he wash his hands before he touched my feet? NO. Did he put gloves on before he examined my feet? NO.
Fifty -five minutes after my appointment time, the exam began. The exam and questions were adequate for my medical issue. He suggested that I might consider a shoe insert and, no surprise, he sells them in the well-stocked, on all four walls, room off the waiting room with an additional display IN the waiting room.
During the exam, a staff person knocked on the door and asked the doctor if they were going to get paid that day. He left the room to take care of this request. I had no idea how long it would take for him to tend to this. Should the staff person have asked the doctor to step out of the room for a moment to ask her question? PROBABLY. Does the fact that this question had to be asked at all demonstrate poor/sloppy office procedures? MAYBE. Did the fact that she asked the question in front of a patient confirm continued unprofessional procedure? YES!
Would I return? NO. My rating is primarily for the waiting time, the unhygienic examination, and the lack of confidentiality. There are many other podiatrists in the area.