4/27, Thursday. Clinic service ticket was handed out at 5:30am every day at Fisher Pavilion. I got there at ~5:20, and was in a short queue to get in the door. After a simple COVID screening, I was lead to a given seat (by order of arrival). The downstairs of the Fisher Pavilion was already ~60% full. Posters in various languages listing services here were hung on the walls.
A team of 3 started handing out tickets shortly after I seated, each holding a roll of numbered tickets with different colors: medical only, dental and vision. One wears a Mandarin interpreter vest, and one wears a Spanish interpreter vest. Each "patient" can only request one ticket per day.
As the ticket was being distributed, someone found a woman sleeping on the floor hiding under a recess. She came here ~midnight yesterday! It took multiple volunteers to wake her up. She said she was in the 2nd row. One volunteer went to get her a ticket.
By the time I received my dental ticket, it was about 6:30. I could now leave my seat. Walked around the hall, picked up some books donated by Seattle Public Library. There're also a few tables offer some other services, and one table handing out snacks and bottled water. I went home to sleep more, and came back to Fisher Pavilion ~9:30.
At my turn, about 20 of us followed one volunteer to McCall Hall, where the patient intake took place. I filled a form (multiple languages available), which the volunteer typed into a computer. She asked my employment, housing, reason come come to this clinic, height, weight, drink or smoke, current medication. Then I was issued a number with a sticket to put over a folder, and the same sticker on my dental form.
Yet another volunteer took a group of dental patient to Exhibition Hall, again, sit in the order of arrival. It was ~10am. For the next 3 hours, I waited. Talked to the 2 ladies ahead of me (one from Columbia, one from Mexico), and the guy after me. Also did some work, since the Internet is fast enough here. Then I read my book. I did pick up some snacks here, but didn't eat, because I wanted to keep my teeth clean for the dentists. A journalist interviewed a lady a row ahead of me. She has a full time job. About 1pm, finally, I was led to a dentist who checked out my teeth. I told her my one problem and asked for deep cleaning. She took one X ray on my problem, suggested that root canal is a more valuable service than cleaning. Because I could only ask for one service a day. The X ray printout was stapled on my dental form (now with her notes). I was taken to a task person to sign off for the actual service, and he vetoed root canal. As I was escorted to the checkout desk, I relayed this decision to the diagnostic doctor. She and another doctor argued with the task person, insisted that root canal should be administered, as long as a crown is not needed at the same time. Guess what, no endo doctor on duty today, and the cleaning is done also. At 1:20, I was given a pink wrist band and an instruction sheet to come back tomorrow. My diagnostic doctor told me that there'll be 2 doctors in the morning (from 10:30) and 1 doctor in the afternoon. The instruction sheet said that I need to arrive before 6:30am directly to Exhibition Hall, otherwise, my service cannot be guaranteed.
4/28, Friday.
I arrived at 5am at Fisher Pavilion to get a vision ticket.
A couple after me said they got up at 2am in order to come here, because they live on Bainbridge Island.
Today I brought tooth brush and tooth paste, so I wouldn't go hungry.
Chatted with the volunteer there: she came at midnight for her shift!
At 6am, I was queuing up in front of the Exhibition Hall. At 6:30, we were let in after another COVID screening, and was given an orange wrist band labeled as 4/28 Dental. I was led up to a waiting area for root canal, the 6th inline. Since there was no doctor until 10:30, we all had 4+ hours to wait. The volunteer who watched us is also a dentist, but from another country, so couldn't practice here. This photo was taken ~7:30, when the hygenists were gathered for the pre-service talk. ? Why are we made to come in before 6:30?
I went to McCall hall for another round of intake process. Got a blue form for vision. Went to Cornish Play House for vision checkup. Since I have brought my prescription, I was taken to an optician directly. He brought me 6 pairs of glasses to try on. I tried on 2, couldn't decide. Ask the "patient" next to me. She liked the 2nd pair, so that was it. Single vision for distance. Bifocal is also offered. Yet another volunteer took me to the checkout. I was told to come back on 6/4-5 to pick up the glasses or wait for the mail. I lost my 2 pairs of glasses last month, and was hoping to get a pair sooner here. I've already ordered 2 pairs online. Hope those will arrive sooner.
Back at my waiting area. The volunteer changed shift. The Palestinian ahead of me (#5) showed me his family photos and food photos. He said that the clinic was twice as large last time he came. They also did crown back then. He also gave me a booklet of metro bus ticket. The Mexican after me (#7) is a mechanical engineer from Guadalajara. We chatted in Spanish. He told me to watch movies (dubbed) in Spanish.
~10am, someone came over to look at our X-rays and notes. Sure enough, at 10:30, the first 2 went into the mobile unit. When the 4th person was called, I went to brush my teeth. My turn didn't come until ~1:30pm. It took maybe 30 minutes. All quite smooth and professional. The Palestanian guy was still lying on the chair.
I wasn't allowed to receive another dental service today. So had to check out. Then, I went to McCall Hall to checkout my lower back pain. A nurse interviewed me, checked my blood sugar, blood pressure. Acupunture was out today. Physical theropy also. I went to see an occupational therapist (no line), she made some pratical suggestions. The next door is foot problem, no line either. So I saw a practicioner there, and was told that my shoes are too narrow for my toes. Met LL (from a hiking group) who escorted me down to the checkout desk.
Overall, I'm surprised by the planning (well organized) and the amount of volunteers, pleased by the services, but dismayed by the slowness.
