Thursday, May 28, 2009

Sorry i'm not a phonebook?

I had a woman call me trying to find the phone number for new Walgreens a few miles away.  I knew the phone call was not going to be pretty as soon as the woman started complaining about how long it takes to go through all these automated messages

Two facts you must know: 
1.  the specific pharmacy opened within the last few months and I have not had to call them yet, and
2.  I do not work at a walgreens.

I tried to tell her that I did not have their phone number; big mistake.

"What do you mean you don't have their phone number? you're a pharmacy!  You have to have it!  How do you get a hold of them?"

I'm sorry that I haven't had to transfer any rx's from there yet!  I explained to her that I would have to contact another Walgreens store to see if they could give me the number to the new store.  I started giving her the number to the Walgreens across the street, and she interrupted me mid-number saying "I SAID I NEED THE NUMBER FOR THE OTHER WALGREENS, NOT THE ONE HERE."  Again I replied "I don't have their number", to which she politely slammed the phone on the receiver.

Have fun dealing with the automated message at the next pharmacy you call, b!tch!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The only thing missing is the full moon

Fridays are not supposed to be busy.  Granted, I like being busy.  The day is over before I know it.  I filled 212 scripts.  I battled with medco (and lost, because, well, it's medco, and medco sucks).  But nothing can top the conversation I had with one of my 90+ year old patients.
 
Patient (P)- This prescription I have, this salve, it should be taken off the market.
Me- What seems to be the problem?  (he's been on this cream for years)
P- I can't apply it. I can't reach.  The sore is on my bottom and I can't reach there.
Me- Do you have anyone that can help you apply it? Any family or friends?
P- No.  And the doctor wants me to apply it as often as needed.  What am I going to do?
Me- Actually the doctor wants you to apply the cream only twice daily, and only if needed, as it says on the directions.  Have you tried contacting your doctor to see if they could help you find a visiting nurse to help?
P- The salve says to keep it covered.  How can I have someone come and apply it throughout the day?
Me- (Reitierating the twice daily directions) the wound site should be covered with a dressing, but the cream should be applied no more than twice daily.  Have you called your doctor's office?
P- They said they couldn't help.  Can you help?
Me- I would recommend seeing if a visiting nurse can come by and help you with your medication.
P- Can you help me apply it?
Me- I'm sorry, I can't.  I recommend you call your doctor's office if you still have problems.

Wow.
There's a reason why i'm a pharmacist, not a nurse.
May I also add that nurses don't get paid enough?

One of my techs was later wondering how he manages to wipe his own ass.