Annual checkup today, the door is in the wrong place...
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11642)
United States
November 4, 2008 11:35am CST
Today I went for my annual checkup. It was strange seeing my doctor when I wasn't sick because it seems like I've been in there a lot lately!!!
I was thinking though, that the exam room is not really designed very well. I mean, here I am laying flat on my back on the exam table, with my legs toward the door. If someone were to walk in, they'd surely get a sight! I think they need to at least point the table in the other direction so they'd only get a good look at my side if they walked in by accident...
1 person likes this
5 responses
@sirrob (4108)
• Philippines
4 Nov 08
You are absolutely right that it should be facing in a different direction but aside from that, you should not be seen by anyone when you are inside the exam room. What I meant is there should be a hanging drape that no one could see you directly every time the door opens. That should be part of every patients privacy and should have been in the mind of the staff.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
4 Nov 08
Wow, I don't know that I've ever been in a doctors office that had a drape in front of the door, but that's a WONDERFUL idea!!! I've also never had anyone accidentally come into the room while I was in there either, but it was a strange concern for me today...
@sirrob (4108)
• Philippines
4 Nov 08
In a primary clinic that I used to work before, it is always a standard procedure and policy to have a hanging drape or a curtain just to cover anyone in the room during examinations. And no one can go inside except during emergency situations but if it's not then anyone should wait until it will be finished. I believe it is part of patient privacy act, though not very sure and still have to go over with it.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I'm hoping that no one would just barge in, but I was worried about if someone was maybe looking for their spouse that they were in a room with and they had to walk out for a mintue. Then when they walked back in the got the wrong room or something like that. I mean, accidents happen, but I'd have hated for it to happen to me today :)
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
4 Nov 08
I think I will mention it the next time I'm in. I doubt if anyone would come in, but today I was just a bit paranoid about it.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
4 Nov 08
Some larger clinics won't even respond to a question/suggestion like this.
I've been in some that were basically a BUSINESS and treated the patieints like customers not patients.
Mine is a really nice family orientated clinic with great bedside manners by nurses, technicians as well as the Dr's. etc.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
5 Nov 08
Hey grandpabob - I've been in the assembly line places before and left them for more "humaine" treatment. I don't know that they could change the way the rooms are structured, but at least they might keep it in mind for when/if they remodel...
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
4 Nov 08
Oh, that is funny to p8icture. It would not be funny if it was me laying on the table, though. Some people have no concept of functional design and just throw stuff into a room any which way. I could wonder if the electrical source for things he might need dictates where the table is. I would not be laying down until everyone was in the room though.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
4 Nov 08
It's funny that you should mention the electrical stuff because they actually didn't have the portable light in the exam room. The doctor had to go find one and ended up using something on her head that resembled a miner's light - although not nearly as bright (and not warm at all).
Although I've never worried about it before, today I just had this weird fear that someone was going to walk into the room by accident and just see everything I have to offer... Strange, huh?
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
4 Nov 08
My Dr's office rooms are set up with the table facing the back wall.
No problem with a view being given to anyone.
Unless I stand up and moon them as they enter.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
5 Nov 08
HAHAHAHAH Well, I wouldn't be "moonin' " them, and there's definitely no coughin' involved for me :) My gown has to open in the front...
But I would like a table that had the feet to the wall :)
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
7 Nov 08
You are right. I have only been to one doctor that the exam table does not face the door. I usually do not get in the stirrups until the doctor is in the room.
I hate my annual exam it usually hurts to have the speculum inserted into places cold plastic things should not go.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
8 Nov 08
I don't get up there until I have to either, but once you're up there you're pretty vulenarable and if someone accidentally comes in then you're pretty exposed... I was really freaking out about that this past week, no clue why...
Remember the metal speculem days? Those things were always cold! My last doctor would warm it up under the light first so it wasn't cold.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
16 Nov 08
It's definitely no fun, but early detection is the key so it's better to endure the few minutes a year.
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
16 Nov 08
My doctor now uses the disposable plastic ones. They are not cold like the metal ones use to be.
I hate the whole ordeal.
1 person likes this
