Quest Diagnostics-Avoid Waiting by Selecting a Location or Make an Appointment

Macrine and I have always gone to have our routine laboratory test ( metabolism panel, urine etc..) at our neighborhood branch of Quest Diagnostics. We do this every quarter prior to our Family Physician Check-up. There are three Quest Diagnostics (QD) locations within a 5-mile distance from our residence. For the last ten years we have been going to the location nearest our residence, which is less than one mile ( Sunrise). Our waiting time averages about 45 minutes to one hour. However, lately the waiting time had gone longer and longer sometimes up to more than 90 minutes depending on the time of your arrival.

Today, we woke up at 6:30 AM and was right at the door of the testing Lab at 7:00AM. I was so shock to see that 20 people are already in line to sign up. I notice that the registration line was so slow, I decided I will try another location about 3 miles ( Mercy Building) away. We were there at 7:15AM. There were two patients ahead of us. The sign up is computerized. I told the front clerk about the Sunrise Office. She told me their branch has usually 6 to 7 phlebotomist and so business is fast. The Sunrise Branch has only 3 to 4 blood suckers, and the sign up is manual. However both branches still asked for your insurance Card every time you have a lab test. We have no appointment but had our lab test was done in less than 30 minutes.

The service will be faster if you make appointment. I tried making an appointment on line, But I did not like the appointment system. It is so archaic and antiquated and very confusing. I often wonder why the Data Based of the Lab is not computerized so that once you check in and gave your insurance card it is on the data base. All the clerk has to do is ask you if your insurance is still the same every time you visit the lab. QD generates more than $7 billion of revenue and can not afford to completely computerized their data base! What a Shame and a good example of poor management! I think the reason for this is the company has no competition, thus no incentive to modernize and spent money for automation. Here's what Wikipedia says about Quest Diagnostics.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company providing clinical laboratory services with headquarters in Madison, New Jersey. Founded in 1967 as Metropolitan Pathology Laboratory, Inc., it became an independent corporation with the Quest name on December 31, 1996. In addition to the United States, Quest Diagnostics also runs operations in United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico and a laboratory in India and also has collaborative agreements internationally with various hospitals and clinics. It is a member of the Fortune 500 and the S&P 500, with corporate headquarters located in Madison, New Jersey. The company has approximately 44,000 employees, generates more than $7 billion in revenue and offers access to diagnostic testing services for cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease and neurological disorders.

I Got a Relief from My Primary Care Duties Yesterday

Dinah and Elaine

If you are following my blogs, you probably know that I am the Primary Care Giver for my spouse who has Parkinson's Disease. Every now and then I get a relief from relatives and friends taking care of Macrine.

Yesterday, our daughter( Dinah) and granddaughter( Elaine) visited Macrine and brought lunch with them. After lunch they brought her to our nearby Mall to shop for Sees Chocolates and a sweater. Then they went to the Food Court for snacks and dessert. For 3 hours they had a great time, just visiting and enjoying the Mall. In the meantime, I went back to sleep for 30 minutes. The rest of my free time, I did some writing and updating my blogs. It was a fun afternoon for Macrine and a much welcome relief for me.

When they came back from the Mall, Macrine was tired and complained of neck pains. Dinah try to massage it, while Elaine was staring. Without any warning, Elaine blurted to us. I am really trying to help Mom have a boy friend or husband now so that 20 years from now I do not have to do what she is doing to Lola. We all laugh. Dinah ask if PD is genetic. I answered some form of PD is genetic, since her father had also PD before he died. Again thank you Dinah and Elaine for your visit. They promised to visit us again next month.

For details on my tribulations as a primary care giver when we were in Marinduque last year read the following:

http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2014/03/frustrations-and-tribulations-of.html

One Year Ago Today-At Chateau Du Mer, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

This is the advance birthday greetings from Yong Nieva( Macrine's first cousin) last year in Boac. Macrine and Yong have the same birthday, March 26.

https://www.facebook.com/david.b.katague/videos/10206320460666763/

My Collection of Wood Carvings and Crafts from the Philippines

Besides my small collection of marble products from Romblon, Philippines, I have also a small collection of wood carvings from the Philippines. The following are some of my wood carvings collection.

These are a few of my treasured wood carvings collection from the Philippines

Last Supper we purchased in Baguio in 1992

A good décor by the fire place in our Family Room

Sample of wooden Handicrafts from the Philippines- I have several wooden bowls and trays in my collection.

Man in a Barrel. I have purchased a number of them for gag gifts. Appreciated by most recipients.

Two photos from: http://www.manilatrade.com/philippine-wood-carving-and-exporting/ in Paete, Laguna-wood carving capital of the Philippines

My Marble Products Collection from Romblon, Philippines

Some of my marble collections here in US

If you are not a Filipino or had no Philippine connections, you probably have not heard of Romblon, Philippines. Romblon is the marble capital of the Philippines. It is a province that have touched my childhood years. I have written a chapter ( Chapter 2) in my autobiography about Romblon (http://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2011/12/chapter-2-memories-of-romblon-1945.html) for your additional information.

Close-up of marble bench from Romblon

My Marble bench and table at Chateau Du Mer in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines ( I have 2 benches and 3 tables in the beach house)

Not all products in this photo are in my collection. I have a mortar and pestle set, 4 ash trays, 3 vases and a dozen eggs.

This is my marble lamp and square marble side table in the beach house in Amoingon, Boac, Philippines

Marble eggs and marble dildo ash trays are popular products and gift items

My Marble Lamp and 8 marble eggs in an ash tray in Fair Oaks

An example of marble erotica, a dildo ash tray in my collection.