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I know for a fact that I am not the only one in Austin who continually runs up against mistakes  made by Mayo Clinic staff.  Be it doctors and/or  nurses.

The lack of communication is frightening to say the least.  Luckily I am a retired nurse and have caught way too many medication errors for myself.  If I didn’t have a medical background and received one of these dangerous mistakes, who knows what the outcome could or would be.  How can one win against this huge corporation that is Mayo Clinic. I have caught them lying as to what actually happened. The first being a glaucoma specialist in Rochester and I’m grateful I found another doctor at Olmsted for that diagnosis. 

Apparently they seem to be under the delusion that because we are in the category of the “elderly” that we don’t know how to think, how to accurately communicate and to have our decades of knowledge, experience and wisdom. I know what it’s like to read a doctor’s order and to take it off accurately. It’s not that hard. I also know what it takes to listen. An art that seems to be dwindling and floating down the stream … example … there is a big difference between “ I will.” or “I may.” “Will” and “may” have different meanings and this occurs even when English is the first and only language!

I have heard from staff at my pharmacy as to all the mistakes, they too run up against Mayo. I have talked with current employees and retired nurses, doctors, and other retired staff in varying positions and have heard of countless horror stories.   

I now our medical protocol in this country is in sad shape, but Mayo presumably is the best in the world, even trying to communicate through “patient experience” is a waste of time and effort. They too don’t listen, but then nor does the CEO when I have written directly to him. Is good medical attention only for the 1%? Apparently so!

Unless we have our own private jet to fly into Rochester, is this how the rest of my life will be when it comes to inept communication skills? I’m not saying all are like that, but too many for me to feel comfortable and safe when it comes to the health care of my family and friends.   

Roberta Mistretta R.N.

Austin, MN