My son transferred to this hospital from Phoenix Children’s to continue survivorship after cancer treatment when we moved. I am so shocked and disappointed in the stark contrast of care that we received here vs Arizona. We began in the old building which was not designed to be specifically for children, was very dated, and was claustrophobic.
They stated they had never received my son’s medical records from Phoenix Children’s, after calling PCH multiple times to confirm they had sent the records and confirming on both ends the correct fax number.
My son is high functioning autistic, ADHD, and has PTSD and anxiety due to the frequency of blood draws and port accesses during chemo, so he has an extremely difficult time with blood draws. Blood tests are necessary for survivorship appointments for him - here at University, they refused to give him intranasal versed as an anxiolytic/sedative for his in-clinic blood draw, as was done at PCH. They told me it was not in their policy. They gave me the option of physically restraining him with multiple personnel or restraining him on a tie down board as our only options because my son began to have a panic attack and refused to sit for his blood draw. This is disgusting and inhumane. We refused. I then asked if this oncologist could prescribe lorazepam and topical numbing cream since they would not do versed. I was told this was also not possible as it was not their policy and to ask my son’s PCP. This is again ridiculous - an oncologist cannot prescribe an anxiety medication and numbing cream for administration prior to a blood draw for a post-chemo child that has special needs? But his PCP can? So hundreds of dollars wasted on an appointment that was significantly worse than useless.
PCH did lab work as well as ultrasounds every six months until 5 years post chemo completion. Here they only do lab work.
After initial appointment with the physician, we were told we would be seen by another doctor for the subsequent visit. We arrive and go through motions because my son could not do the blood draw even though we tried the lorazepam and numbing cream prescribed by his PCP. Well lo and behold after the visit, I looked at his chart and the woman we saw who was presented (multiple times via phone call appointment and there at the clinic) as “doctor” was a nurse practitioner. This is highly, HIGHLY deceptive and illegal misrepresentation of a medical “provider” and their credentials/education. Every single time we went to PCH for active chemo treatment and for survivorship, we personally saw his oncologist.
Now, later, I call the hospital’s laboratory because my son is under anesthesia for a dental procedure and the anesthesiologist can take the blood sample. But no one has blood vials. I call and explain the situation, tell them the doctor will speak to whomever he needs to tell them, and I am told they cannot give vials because he is not receiving the dental care there at University Hospital. Even though the medical courier will bring the specimen vials back to their lab for processing and they get the money. They can’t give the vials.
It’s absolutely ridiculous and extremely cruel the way they treat patients at this facility. Please do not give them your service. I am so greatly disappointed and disgusted at how I have seen my son be treated and receive “care” at this facility.