Providence Medical Clinic: The Plaza - Portland

If you need to set up a diagnostic test - MRI, Bone Density, etc - you can not accomplish this with a phone call. They set up their system so that all requests go to a message machine that explains they are under staffed. They request you leave your number for a call back in 4 business days. What??Of course a person calls back when you are in the shower or can't answer phone and instead of giving you a different number to call to reach a live person, they direct you back to the same number and you have to start the process all over again. Wash, rinse, repeat and chances are you won't  speak to someone for weeks which means your health is suffering. Unacceptable.So frustrated, I drive to the center to see if I could schedule an appointment in person. Nope! They refused. Finally, I called the same number and rather than select the option for patients, I selected the option for providers. Within minutes I had a human in the phone and while she wasn't happy to find out I was a patient, she set up the appointment. Two weeks later, which was four weeks from initial call, I received a call back asking if I wanted to set up the test. I let her know I had already bypassed the system and set it up and that the process they are using does not provide optimal or even mediocre care, Knowing the employee is just following their policies, I also wrote a letter directly to Providence. Don't get me wrong, I get that the healthcare staff is burned out and many quit coupled with a surge in procedures after being on hold during covid, but when tests are needed to diagnose a condition and provide treatment, especially when a patient is in pain or has a serious condition where time is critical, a call back system that goes on for weeks is completely unacceptable. Used to go to Providence Diagnostic Imaging for all my tests but will never use them again. Dealing with them felt like I was in a third world country.
Feb 9th, 2023

Ive been trying to meet with my PCP and was asked twice to reschedule and the second time to change my wellness exam visit to a virtual visit the morning of the appointment. The first time the appointment was cancelled day off and I just got a phone call about it. Rescheduled with a totally new PCP so hopefully this one is better.
Nov 28th, 2022

Long waits everywhere at the plaza, including x-rays. It's especially brutal for seniors and people with disabilities. Even worse was my experience in occupational medicine, where I received minimal care and was later charged thousands for services authorized by my doctor. Shame!
Nov 18th, 2022

I had to get lab work on Wednesday Jan 12, 2022. I went early-ish and was surprised by the line of people going all the way down the hall outside the lab office. I finally reach a staff member after an hour of being in the line. (There appears to be only three people at desks to process people).  Finally it is my turn. In an attempt to dissuade me from going further the clerk says "There will be a 45 minute to hour wait before you can get your lab work".  I reply, "That's ok, I've already been here an hour. I'll continue." After the next additional hour wait I'm called inside to get the labs done. From the chair for the lab work I could see into an adjacent room. Inside the room was no less than FIVE people, all wearing lab coats. During the entire time that it took for me to get the lab work done (a considerable time) these staff members just talked and talked and talked and laughed and laughed and laughed. Like a party! Ok...we all know that Covid runs our world right now..we get that. But, you know what? It is very disheartening to wait for TWO HOURS for lab work only to have to listen to a bunch of Providence staff blather on about themselves. (The tall blonde "won't work in Washington and she needs two days together for her weekends"!) It all makes me think the employees are just having a good ol' time using the Covid excuse to stand around doing nothing! Yeahhhhhhhh, Covid, the perfect excuse for these particular people to work at the speed of sloths, if at all. Hope you are all having a real happy time at the expense of all the patients. (sarcasm).(One star added for a total of two stars since the person taking my blood seemed skilled). How about we not blame Covid for everything and people simply do their jobs? Sorry, the Covid excuse just doesn't wash when people are standing around like they're on a vacation in Jamaica.
Jan 21st, 2022

Yes, I recently had foot surgery at The ambulatory clinic. I understand that COVID has put a lot of stress on folks. However, they barely gave me the time of day when I arrived rushed around like maniacs, except for the Anesthesiologist.  My watch was lost, and the staff suggested that I must have dropped in the parking lot upon leaving. A staff member had placed the watch into my backpack; then, I paid 945.00 dollars for supplemental coverage upfront. I have coverage with United Health Care why I had to pay this cost is beyond me. I am still waiting to hear who will handle this and how. To suggest I am a little old lady that can not keep track of her belongings makes me furious. No one has followed up to see how things went. Please get in touch with me immediately to help explain what happened to my watch, a gift from my husband who has passed away, and when you will refund the 945.00 US dollars. I found the manner of the staff to be rude and indifferent, except for one young nurse. The registration desk is terrible. It is highly unlikely that I would use or recommend this facility.Contact me,Heidi MacLennan,
Nov 12th, 2021