Pediatrician Switch

My DS has been going to see Dr. Jassey and his group since he was born. We were sold on this practice while I was pregnant. The doctors all seemed so nice, the staff, they had special services in house like blood, evening and weekend hours and they were local. All good things.

Since we've been going there they have continually screwed up our Rxs each and every time by sending the script to the wrong CVS. I've brought it to their attention every time and they made notes in my files but somehow it still happens but I've just put up with it.

Getting an appointment with Dr. Jonathan Jassey is sometimes near impossible but I've put up with it.

On rare occasion I've had a question for the doctor and I call only get a return call over 4 hours later. I've put up with it all...

...until today.

This weekend my son got sick. A cold I thought but at 4am this morning he had a fever of 102.4. We gave him Tylenol and were giving Benedryl since that's all we could give him in the past. The doctors told us all other OTCs should wait until 4. But my son is a big boy, over 38" and almost 40 pounds. I called the doctor's office to ask if we could give him something else, stronger. He's really suffering.

I called at 9:25. Called again at 11:30. Called again at almost 1 several times until I got someone on the line and pleaded with them that I needed to talk to a doctor. The staff woman asked if I said it was an emergency. I said no, but I told her my son was sick and I needed to find out what to give him. She got a doctor on the line.

The doctor asked if I made an app for my son to come in. I said no, that was one thing I wanted to ask you. She said yes, of course any kid with a fever that high should be seen by a doctor. I said I didn't know. She asked if in his 3 years he's ever gotten sick and why I didn't know to make an app. Are you kidding? She basically accused me of being an idiot parent. That's why I was calling. I need advice from a professional, not a lecture.

She passed me back to the staff to make an app. My DH who is also home sick is taking him at 4:30. I got off the phone and got so upset. How dare they make me feel like that. Like 'm the idiot b/c I didn't know something medically relevant. Isn't that why we come to you? Isn't that why you have a phone, so I can call and ask? I've had it with this practice.

I'm going to check out the Oppenheimer Group down the block. Can anyone give me any insight on this practice please? I have a 3 year son and one coming in 6 weeks so I need to find some reliable doctors quickly.

Thanks for reading my rant.

Re: Pediatrician Switch

Many to you and hoping your little guy feels better soon. No one should ever be made to feel that way, esp when emotions are so heightened from worry when our kids are sick.

I bring 8 mo old DD to Dr Oppenheimer's practice. No issues so far. There are a bunch of drs in the practice. Dr Oppenheimer is very old school. I had an issue with him early on because he was giving me a really hard time about tummy time. She hated it and would scream bloody murder but it worked itself out.

The other partners are Dr Bob and Dr Andy, both of whom I like. I've only seen Dr Bob once but he was wonderful with me. I was crying and he was more worried about me than the baby! Dr Andy is very middle of the road. I usually request him. I've also seen Dr Donna a few times and really like her as well. I may start requesting her more as well.

I take it all with a grain of salt. No dr/practice is perfect but no complaints so far. My advice is to make an appt and go in. They are very popular locally. I've never had an issue with call backs, even on weekends and late night, which we all know is huge. I also request who I want to see for well visits and if the dr is available, they will accommodate.

Good luck momma! Feel free to reach out at any time.

Re: Pediatrician Switch

first off, i hope ds feels better soon
second, i am not happy to hear this about Dr Jassey as I just had my records switched to his practice on Friday.
I posted on here about a pediatrician recommendation a few months ago and aside from Dr Jassey, this group was highly recommended by moms on here...
http://www.pedsli.com/staff.html

i didnt end up meeting with them - but from my call with them (and their site) they have decent hours. the one thing i didnt like is that they dont have "well visits" on weekends, only sick visits
maybe give them a call

Re: Pediatrician Switch

I'm sorry that you've had that experience with Dr. Jassey's office. Out of curiosity, which doctor did you speak to? I haven't had that experience personally, and have been very pleased with the practice, but I have friends who dislike one particular female doctor due to similar experiences. Although I don't have personal experience, I have heard very good things about Dr. Oppenheimer's practice. I hope your son feels better soon.

Pediatrician Switch

First of all, you're a good mommy. You obviously care about your son's well being. In my experience (DD is only 2 1/2) there is no magic number that tells you when you need to bring DC to the doctor. DD had a fever of 102 on Saturday and I chose to not bring her to the doctor because she was acting fairly normally, only slightly more subdued. In my opinion, they should've just told you to bring him in rather than questioning whether you made an appt since you were telling them how miserable he was.

As far as the meds are concerned, he can't have any cold meds but you should've been able to give him Motrin or Advil. I find DD responds much better to those than Tylenol when she has a fever.

Good luck with what you decide about leaving the practice. I just left DD's practice recently because of a few incidents that I felt were unacceptable. It's a hard decision but you need to do what's right for DC.

Re: Pediatrician Switch

Thank you all for the responses. I've settled down a bit and realize I was probably a bit short on the phone which may have prompted the attitude. But I still think I'm going to shop around.

The doctor I was speaking with was Dr. Schwarz-Cohen. I think I might have dealt with her once in person.

I've been really lucky not to have had my son sick much. I'm one who usually under reacts to situations so when they ask, "Is it an emergency?" I think no, of course not, but maybe I have to reevaluate what I consider an emergency in the future.

Pediatrician Switch

highly recommend garden city pediatrics...they have great hours and are open 7 days a week-located right on stewart avenue off the meadowbrook

Re: Pediatrician Switch

If you are thinking of switching Dr lippmann is amazing. He is in baldwin. Him or rosenblom call me back all the time and always get us in for a sick appt.

We had to take ds to pm pediatrics saturday night and the office called us first thing sunday morning

Pediatrician Switch

I take all three of my kids to Pediatric Healthcare of Long Island in Bellmore. They're right on Merrick Rd a few blocks east of 106. (516) 679-5000

I typically make well child visits with Dr. Lanzillotta but have seen all the dr's there. I have never had any of the issues that you described.

Best of all is they do all blood work for check ups there. So no going to a lab like quest. And even better.... it's a finger prick draw not an arm draw. Between the Bellmore office and their Hewlett office they are open 365 days a year.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Message edited 4/7/2014 10:11:07 PM.

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Message edited 4/8/2014 10:47:38 AM.

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Re: Pediatrician Switch