Don't go to Dr. Prasad after 2 pm - or anytime!

McGraff Johnson at the Agape Medical building in Glynn. on Northshore Rd just after Antilles leasing and Straker Auto Sales on the right.
They are new so call information for the number

DeGraft-Johnson - SHE does primary care, and HE is a cardiothoracic surgeon, so make sure you specify! 😀

Also, for urgent medical issues, if you can't get in touch with your primary care physician, there are a couple of other options. There's "Acute Care Alternative" (I think that's the name) just up the road from the hospital, run by Dr. Lyn Campbell, who is trained in emergency medicine, and one or more physician's assistants. I'm not sure of their hours, but they're open beyond normal business hours. They do traditional medicine and some complementary/alternative stuff, too. You can make an appointment or just stop in. There is also the Fast Track in the emergency department at the hospital, which is open noon-8pm (stops taking new patients at 7pm) on weekdays and 8am-8pm on weekends and holidays. No appointments - walk-ins only. It's meant for non-life-threatening but still urgent concerns. It's run by either an emergency physician, a physician's assistant who has critical care/ER training, or both, depending on the day.

And while I'm at it, the Poison Control Center is also a good resource to have in your back pocket when you're not sure where to turn for medical advice. They, unlike many medical providers (due to legal issues), are willing to give medical advice over the phone. So if your child has just eaten a bottle of vitamins, or you accidentally drank rubbing alcohol instead of Cruzan Rum, or if you've been stung by a scorpion, or if you have any toxicologic/poison issue, they are extremely helpful. 1-800-222-1222 will get you right to a nurse who will be able to tell you whether you need treatment, what to do to treat yourself at home if possible, whether you need to go to the ER, what symptoms to watch for, etc.

And then there's DAN (Diver's Alert Network) for diving issues. Also an excellent resource.

(Had to edit "bitten by a scorpion" to "stung by a scorpion." The toxicologists I know would have my head for that one! Scorpions don't bite!)

Thanks for the correction, it sounded lie mc on the radio

Dr. Prasad's website:

http://www.primarycarevi.com/

-also-

Looks like Dr. Latifa DeGraft-Johnson works on the first floor and Dr. Moses DeGraft-Johnson works on the 3rd floor. They share the same phone number. (340) 772-2000 252 Estate Glynn, Suit 3, STX

http://www.djmahealth.com/

So, do centipedes bite or sting?

I wonder if the person you spoke to even let Dr. Prasad know you were there. Perhaps he would have been happy to see you if he had known you were there. I can certainly see that sort of miscommunication happening in the VI!

I wonder if the person you spoke to even let Dr. Prasad know you were there. Perhaps he would have been happy to see you if he had known you were there. I can certainly see that sort of miscommunication happening in the VI!

This is likely true. I've never been to Dr. Prasad but I will say that while we have dealt with some great doctor's here in STX, we have rarely experienced one with a competant support staff. It is amazingly frustrating to deal with some of the folks who work in the various doctor's offices here. It sounds like this likely is what happened to Edward.

Roadrunner, thanks for the informational post!

Sean

Dr. Prasad's office takes walk-ins Monday through Friday from 7:00 until 1:00 and Saturdays from 7:00 to 12:00 (when they close). During the week, the hours from 12:00 to 3:00 are reserved for patients who made appointments several weeks in advance. I do agree, though, that there was more than likely a communication breakdown. Sorry to hear about your pain, Edward!

Dr. Prasad's website:

http://www.primarycarevi.com/

The web site is out of date. Dr. Prasad's practice is in La Grande Princesse.

Dr. Degraft-Johnson's office support staff is the sole exception in our experience (by the way I've never met the female, just the male and we use him as our GP.) The rest are absolutely beyond worthless and have no clue how much their ineptitude impacts people's lives. Getting past the incompetent, uncaring, and apathetic and sometimes just plain lazy support staffs IS the big challenge.

It's no suprise that customer service is horrible in St. Croix (and can you blame them much since there's virtually no training here for it) but it hurts most in the medical field (yeah is stinks to take 30 minutes to get through the drive-through at McDonalds but it's nothing compared to waiting days to get medical results that a medical staff swears haven't come back when they have.)

Dr. Degraft-Johnson's office support staff is the sole exception in our experience (by the way I've never met the female, just the male and we use him as our GP.)

Oops, I stand corrected. I didn't realize he did primary care as well.

It's no suprise that customer service is horrible in St. Croix (and can you blame them much since there's virtually no training here for it)

There shouldn't need to be training just to be a decent, caring human being. Sure, there are some tips and tricks that can make one better at customer service, but it starts with being a good person.

I too am a new patient of Dr. DeGraft-Johnson (Moses) I have only had one visit, (walkin at 11am) just to get a flu shot but he and I had a pleasant conversation About soccer and Team Ghana for 15 minutes. It was nice to really meet the doc treating me and connect instead of being part of a cattle drive through the office getting watered down treatment for my $$$. Only complaint is that the AC was cranked and I froze in the waiting room!

I go to Alternative Medicine behind the hosp; Dr. Lyn Campbell and staff. They are excellent and have helped me tremendously with my dibilitating, progressive illness. The staff is very sympathetic to your concerns. He has 2 PA's who are very knowledgable and intelligent. There are 2 physical therapy techs who also provide excellent care. The Nursing and front office staff are equally high quality too. They not only listen to you but they hear what you are telling them.

I prefer to go to a Dr who knows medicine opposed to one who merely practices medicine: big difference. Dr. Campbell specializes in emergency care and is up on all the latest. He devotes some of his time to the ER at JLH and is exposed to everything that walks thru the door.

I wouldn't see anyone else. I'm very happy with the care I receive at the clinic.

I've been to Dr. Prasad's clinic a couple times since I've moved down here. It is always busy- and as a walk in I've waited for up to 2 hours- never more. They do their best to move everybody through as quickly as possible, I'm sure.

One time I was obviously sick (fever, pale skin, shaking, etc) and the office staff came by a couple times during my wait to see if I was feeling ok. They even offered to let me lay down in a back room until the Doctor could see me.

I don't think it is fair to say that he doesn't care about the "pain and suffering" of his patients. Likely- there were many other people who had either made an appointment/walked in ahead of you. I know when I am going to be a walk in- that you have to get there early- and that goes for places Stateside as well.

I'm sorry you had a bad time- but I've never had a complaint about Prasad's office. It is busy yes, and you can have a significant wait time as a walk-in. But I've not had a bad experience otherwise.

Another note: I've also seen Dr. Cintron who is a part of the same practice. She is a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) and therefore has a different outlook to patient care. She is more than willing to spend time with you, asking many questions & followups to really figure out what is wrong. When I call to make an appointment- I always make sure to request Dr. Cintron.

Long waits at doctor's offices during "walk in" hours are typical on STX. I was at Bishop's once during a walk in period. People brought their own chairs.

Hope you've found better care elsewhere.

IT

Dr. Cintron demonstrated more TLC but prescribed medication that has been withdrawn from the market because of dangerous side effects. In fact, the prescribed medicine caused the worst nosebleed I have ever experienced. Think open faucet! 🙁

Edward, maybe you should start the first training class for customer service in the VI. This way you wouldn't have to complain about the service you get here!!! The pain med you were prescribed was probable just taken off the market; I'm sure not every doctor is aware yet.

Amethyst: Thank you for your support!!!

It's usually better when one complains to have a few solutions to the problem rather than just complaining. I'm sure Edward is not perfect either. He made very strong comments for someone who just got here.

B&J

If the medication was taken off the market, why did the pharmacy dispense it? Shouldn't it have been recalled?

B&J, How long do you require residency for someone to comment on a situation? If you have been following my posts, you will see most are highly complimentary. Ad hominem attacks on this forum are not helpful.

Roadrunner, The pharmacist advised me of the situation. I said I wanted it anyway. The pain was terrible. You're right. The pharmacist should have disposed of it. A case of the lesser of two evils.

Edward, the pharmacist advised you that the medicine you were prescribed was pulled off the market but you choose to accept it anyway. I am wondering if maybe one or both of you should have called the prescribing doctor and ask for something else.

Indeed, that's what I should have done. The pain was so bad, I wasn't thinking clearly.

Today, Dr. Prasad prescribed a different pain med.

I was at Primary Care at 06:45 and waited only a few minutes to be seen by Dr. Prasad. He recommended an orthopedic specialist.

Today's visit leads me to a better impression of the practice. 🙂

Yeah, if you get there early it is not so bad. Never again take medice that has been pulled.

Edward- I know you posted this awhile ago- but I'm glad that you had a better impression this time!

guess iwas lucky i was in office twice in last couple years first time waited about an hour last time at his new office got in saw doc in
30 min. went to pharmcy behind office was in and out in a nother 20 min. was a great experince .

jerry