Velasquez Nelly MD PA

 

4

66

R D.

Austin, TX

Dr Velasquez was on-call for my 79-year-young mother's internist late on a Sunday afternoon when she was coughing frequently, running a low-grade fever and gradually weakening.  We are typically very leery of calling an on-call doctor from a different practice whom we haven't seen before, because the usual outcome is for either the doctor to immediately  follow the path of least resistance and send the patient to the ER or to punt it to the regular doctor on his next day in the office.  Those types interactions usually are a waste of time because they aren't helpful and don't explore any options you don't already know.

Although she had never seen my mother, Dr Velasquez immediately took interest in my mom's case.  She helped me work through my mom's symptoms and determine that it was best we get to the ER immediately rather than prescribe an antibiotic over the phone and wait until the next day when her regular physician would be available.  Her interactions with me were simple and easily understood--not filled with medical jargon--and centered on compassion for my mom's situation and that of my family.

When we arrived at the hospital, my mother was triaged and placed in a treatment room within 30 minutes.  The ER staff had acknowledged that Dr Velasquez had called ahead and alerted the ER to our arrival.  Despite a half-full ER waiting room, some of whom had been waiting for three hours to get past triage, we were dealt with swiftly and courteously.  I can't help but think that Dr Velasquez's call had something to do with the rapid response we got.

But wait, there's more:  When I returned from the hospital, about 5 hours from the point I had first spoken with Dr Velasquez, I got a phone call.  It was Dr Velasquez, inquiring as to how things had turned out.  She even asked if I was pleased with the decision we had made to go to the ER.  I couldn't thank her enough for following up with me and for helping to reach the conclusion that we needed to be at the hospital.

Of course, based on this one experience with Dr Velasquez, it is not possible for me to comment on her in-office practice or continuing care.  But I can say that the way she treats a total stranger calling about another doctor's patient late on a Sunday afternoon is awesome.  And, to find a doctor in this day and time that cares this much about a patient is truly remarkable.

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P.S.  I found out later this morning that my mom's internist who no longer sees patients in the hospital came by to check on her based on call notes that Dr Velasquez had passed along.  Follow-through and follow-up.  Terrific.

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