Well, the micro manager's strong influence finally persuaded me to get a flu shot and I've been getting one every since. Now I haven't had a flu. But I never had a flu before.
However , I couldn't help but make some observations today. The kind of observation about red tape, bloated bureaucracy!
First there was a table inside the door where we were given forms and told what to do. They also took a look at my health card. Alright I filled out the form and went to the next table. They also checked my health card and found that I put my birth date down as 2016. Embarrassing.
Next I went to the person who tells you which nurse to go to. Oh yes , I had an appointment today so I got to go to the front of the line.
Okay , I meet Bonnie the nurse. First thing, she needs my health card! Then I get the long quiz about the status of my health diabetes and on and on. Then I get the info on how the serum is made and why. I get more questions about my reaction to flu shots. I get told what to do after my flu shot and what to look for and what to do if bad stuff happened.
Anticlimax. I get the shot. This took close to thirty minutes. The shot took less than 10 seconds.
I couldn't help but think what these clinics were like when I was a kid. We were immunized for scarlet fever, measles etc. We received boosters and re immunization on a regular basis. How was it done? The old doc lined us up and wham, wham, wham, we were done. A nurse recorded the shot on our immunization card and we were done. Mom and Dad weren't there and off we went.
So what has happened that we need such a complicated procedure. One thing that comes to mind is legal ramifications. They have to go through all the hoops because of possible law suits. Our health system has become very costly as so much has to be done from a legal standpoint. We are also money counters! Every cent has to be accounted for at both ends. Why can't we keep it simple?
The medical world figures the cost of litigation into everything, particularly the pharmaceutical companies. It would be interesting to see what the cost would be if the threat of litigation were removed from the mix.
ReplyDeleteThe litigation thing is most unfortunate.
DeleteI got mine a week ago. It sure stung and my arm was sore for a couple of days afterwards. No thirty minutes of explanation, either. They also didn't ask for my parents to be present, for some reason. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, darn I'm disappointed about the parents!!!
DeleteWhen I got my flu shot, I signed in on the wait list, signed a disclosure form, waited about ten minutes, was offered a pneumonia shot as well, since my records indicated I was the right age and hadn't had the booster, got my shots and went on my way. We are part of a medical non-profit co-op, and well as having Medicare. I do think your experience sounded overly cautious, but I understand why.
ReplyDeleteWell, I could have gone to my pharmacy or family Doc. Next time?
DeleteHi Red, I get a flu shot every year. I avoid all the complications by going to my local pharmacy. It is quick and painless and relatively document free because they already have my info on file.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll go the pharmacy route next year.
DeleteGoodness, what a rigmarole but glad you got one.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pain!
DeleteIt is simpler in our country, you get an invitation with information by mail from your general practitioner and between two hours you can go to get it. All the "oldies" always go all together at the same time, so we stand in a long queue with one arm naked and two or three nurses give the injection. In 5 minutes it is done and your are out again.
ReplyDeleteOur province has got to be the most complicated in the whole world.
DeleteI agree -- simplicity would be great. Lawyers have gotten their fingers into everything. I'm sure the doctors and nurses would rather keep it simple, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad when we have to be so concerned about covering our butts. My last years of teaching I had to get a release form every time I took the kids on a field trip.
DeleteI will be getting my flu shot very soon. Every year I get it too. In Ontario we can get it in the drug store it never has a long line. Yes the paperwork takes the most time indeed.I was not a fan of lining up in school for needles and watching some people faint:) B
ReplyDeleteWe can go to the pharmacy too and maybe next year that's what I'll do.
DeleteWe are on almost the same page here. I got mine last week. I didn't get a nice visit with someone like Bonnie, but I did have to fill out the paper work. I think you are right about all the legal stuff. Question: Have you ever had the flu during a year when you did get the shot? I haven't and just keeping my fingers crossed. Have a good week ahead!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a flu on years I got the shot but I didn't have a flu before.
Deleteyeah, kinda sad...
ReplyDeleteI just have to jump through the hoops.
DeleteNo flu shot for me....never had the flu prior to one and only flu shot I ever got...then all hell broke loose IN MY BODY with the reaction to the one and only flu shot....Doctor said I had a allergic reaction and never get another one. I follow the basics, wash hands and repeat and repeat.....stay away from sick people. WORKS. Then I re-considered and thought possible it was just one reaction, so I went to the Clinic and when I was asked to sign a form saying "they" were not responsible - were not responsible, I decided to go home and "wash my hands". My parents were also not present.
ReplyDeleteReactions can be very serious. Never get another flu shot. Yes, keep washing hands.
DeleteI don't ever get the flu shot. I'm a relatively healthy person so I figure why bother? I remember in my youth being lined up in school to get our immunizations like you describe.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get shots until I was about 60.
DeleteI had it done once, got ungodly sick as a reaction, and said, never again. I've never had that problem with vaccinations.
ReplyDeleteNever get a flu shot again. I think good hygiene habits are a good protection.
DeleteNo flu shot for me either..after the bird flu tht went on a few years ago..the flu vacine was filled with alot of I dont know whats the name of it in english but we called it quick silver..Ohh lord we went sick but not bec of the flu...because of the vacine..so now even iam a nurse i let me be sick with hte flu and stay home for a couple of days..
ReplyDeleteNice post Red
Anita
Hang on. In the last post you said you were 77. Now you say you were born in 2016. By my reckoning that makes you a baby. No wonder you need a micro manager. Babies can be very demanding and have little control over their excretory functions. However, for a baby your use of English is quite incredible!
ReplyDeleteMr. Pudding, at 77 some functions are hit and miss! I'm not sure my English is all that great either.
DeleteI still have a spot the size of a golf ball that is hard as a rock and painful to the touch from my flu shot. I hope you don't have a reaction :(
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a reaction. Your's would be most uncomfortable.
DeleteI agree; there's too much red tape.
ReplyDeleteThey've got you cornered. Listen up or no flu shot.
DeleteThat's the first thought that came into my head; that they are legally bound to do all this. Well, at least you got your shot.
ReplyDeleteNext year I'm going the pharmacist route.
DeleteI get my flu jab each year with none of that rigmarole: in, jab, out (it is suggested that I wait for a while before leaving but as I've never had a reaction yet I just get about my business).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you finally did end up getting the shot after all of that. I got mine at Walmart again...I just fill out a form and wait a few minutes and then I get the shot. My husband has decided he won't take one anymore- but I refuse to skip..I have had the flu and it lasted about ten days and I thought I was dying...awful, awful. Haven't missed a shot since.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, there are lots of legal reasons why so many questions are asked but they also want to make sure that your health is in the best condition possible. If you go in an are already sick or have a fever, then the immunization will likely not be as effective as if your immune system was fully intact. It's a pain, but they want to make sure that the flu shot is given to you when you would benefit most from it! I got mine a while ago and it only took about 20 minutes (and that included waiting in line)!
ReplyDeleteI did get a flu shot last week without any questions from my doctor, except, have you had your flu shot yet? I get one every year now too. My excuse for not getting one all those years was being afraid of needles. Can you believe that! And they don't even hurt!
ReplyDeleteI yet to get my flu shot.. every my hubby is telling me to get the shot.. :)
ReplyDeleteplease visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com
Having read Courtney's comment I should have made it clear that we have our jabs in Scotland at out usual medical practice (often when we go in for something else) and the nurse will know our medical history and condition so many of the preliminary questions a stranger may have to ask are unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteI never had the flu before I started the shots too. And I haven't had one since. Now I've probably jinxed myself.
ReplyDelete