...to be (ad infinitum) continued!

Something's UP at UPA!! Ann's conversations have to focus on her; the same is true when other people are talking. Ann has to be the star, the person who has done everything better (or worse) than anybody else. Was this 'incident' reported to higher management? If not, why not? Does Rosanne want to see Ann dismissed or accept a position in another part of UPA? Or, does Rosanne really care what happens, as long as the tension or conflict is "in the past" (famous first & last words!). Does Rosanne realize how much more work Ann could do if she was talking to someone? I have been told to "speed up"; shouldn't Rosanne be shown a phone log of Ann's calls, and be told how much she could produce if she talked less and worked more during the 8-hour day? With my luck, I would probably get in trouble for suggesting the idea! But anything Ann does is usually followed by numerous phone calls, asking for approval but not comments about her actions or decisions. And sometimes she just wants to tell everybody what she does! Is anything illegal about the way in which this situation was handled? I mean, an employee attempting suicide at work! Nothing has changed in Ann's work habits or attitude. Ann wants to start a fight with anybody that does not agree with her, or crosses her path the wrong way. This includes Rosanne, Dr. Rose & KOAT-TV! Channel 7 would not do a second article on the Speedway. Ann called them up, and said she would no longer watch that channel's news, and tell others to do the same thing. It must have worked, for she received a call from the TV station to schedule another interview. This, of course, could be just one big lie! When Geri works in my area, you can talk and still work. It's not that way with Ann! Ann is possessive, and wants to be both a boss & a baby at the same time What will happen if Ann thinks her power is being threatened by me? What will she do to protect or maintain her position? And, what happens if Ann tries to commit suicide again!! In reality, Ann did not want to die, she just wanted more attention. A perosn who really wants to die will just do it, and perhaps leave a "goodbye note".

The things I did wrong at work during Ann's absense appear to be worse than the act of comitting suicide! Of course, I have no idea what transpired between Ann & Rosanne regarding this incident! Why? Shouldn't I have been told, instead of having to ask! Every day Ann behaves the way she did just prior to her "incident" or "seizure"! I am not trying to be melodramatic in my explanation. Has Ann been reprimanded for her many unscheduled absences, illnesses or the amount of time away from her desk or on the phone? Ann & Rosanne have been clashing recently, and guess who is stuck in the middle! Ann has also had problems getting along with others. What happens if these other people pay me more attention instead of her? What will she do? Will it result in physical, perhaps violent, conflicts? The bottom line is the woman did try to kill herself and had to be restrained. Can I speak about this incident to anyone? If I did, could I get into trouble? Nothing has been told to me regarding what to do or say. Would there be a time limit to be "silent" about this issue? What actually did happen? Did Ann really attempt to kill herself? Is this all one big lie! I can't, nor do I want to, talk to Rosanne. She may either tll Ann what I said, or give me that "you have to be gentle with her. You have to understand that she has a lot of problems." Yeah, many have been caused by herself. No one has helped me deal with this situation. No one cares if this has effected me emotionally! We were separated because Ann was upset when told that I was irritated by her constant absences, not because of her insanity.

My concerns were never addressed. I guess the new kid had to grin & bear it. There was (and is) no one to confide in except Brad, if this situation occurs again. And I'm sure that there is an answer ready & prepared listing things that were done to help me through the trouble times. Yeah, right. July 13: company picnic. It's safer not to go. A verbal opinion would allow someone to run to Rosanne and say that I spoke badly or unfavorably about an employee, the weather or a restaurant! I guess one has to be "on guard", never knowing when Ann might 'freak out'!

...7/15/02: Jack returns to train with us from 9-1 on M, W & F (this week on Thurs.)...he is to go on the Rounds with me...I figured Monday was too busy a day (which turned out to be truer than I expected)...but at 11 I received a call from Rosanne asking me if I took him on the Rounds...I explained why not, and she said we have to prepare him for doing it by himself...I explained that there had never been a definite time set for when to take him...but it was pointless to continue...I was wrong in Rosanne's eyes, and nothing could change that...it just pays to say you did it wrong, and try to remember not to do it again, or to always do it the correct way (which may vary from day to day)...so I get into trouble again, while Ann responds to want ads & sends applications to companies...the above opinion changed when I spoke to Rosanne face to face about the event...

...7/17/02: now Ann wants to fight with Hope & the Coke machine...the latter, because it took $1.30 from her...the former, for tearing apart and throwing away everything except the billing sheets, not being able to enter the charges & returning the billing sheet to us stating that something is missing...the necessary information is in her garbage can or heading toward the great dumpster in the sky...Ann is also upset again because Rosanne did not take her out for a birthday lunch! (food!food!food!)...PS: as it satnds right now (7/30/02), Mike will have his birthday lunch on 8/6/02...

...exercise...every day, I walk down one stairs of the UNM bridge that spans Lomas, and up the other...

...irony; Ann telling the person on the phone: You're making me talk too much!...7/19/02: Ann saying she took a sleeping pill on Thursday evening, and now she cannot wake up...

...it is safe to say that I cannot stop creating a journal...Rosanne says I will remain in PEDS, even after cross training...I will not become cocky or overconfident, for fear that it is very easy for one's bubble to burst in a cactus garden!...and I did forget my sunglasses on 7/17/02, but will remember (I hope!) to pack a spare non-Rx pair in my duffle bag...so far, no department head has mentioned any complaints about me to Rosanne...that was not true for the previous people in this position...the same would be true for the new student...7/18-19/02: training Jack...analysis: the man cannot stay focused on his work, he is suffering from eye strain due to constant gaze at the numerous female forms around him...he wants to ask questions that are not related to Coding, but dwells on minute details that do not pertain to our area...and he seemed to emphasize the negative aspects; such as, what if we forgot to go to one of the wards, what if we forgot to read a chart & what if we coded a visit incorrectly...he wanted to interact & socialize with the medical staff, not a good idea for a trainee!...in the end, I suggested that he be placed in a desk setting processing Claims...this is an area with black & white answers, based on the service(s) rendered...7/24/02: final assessment made on the student...Jack is willing to learn something on his own terms....

...in PEDS, there are the good (Drs. Handmaker, Anaya, Hoffman, Brandt, Wong, Knott, Fahl, Hickey, Perkett & Overturf), the bad (Drs. Root, Fisk, Rose, Holmes & Frost) & the neutral (Dr. Crowley)...

...7/23/02: Ann's mother, Ruth, learns that the tumor has grown and may need to be removed, by surgery...she blames Ann for feeling so weak & tired...if Ann hadn't suggested having these tests, this would not have happened...I tell Ann that when Ruth gets made at her, get mad at Ruth...tell her you are by her side because you ove her...then walk away and cry as much as you need to...Ann suggested that the family see a movie that evening...7/24/02: Ann did not come to work that day...her mother went for additional tests...she will be operated during late August...Ann will be out for at least two weeks, changing her mother's tubing and bandages...7/25/02: but today, she created a web page, and wanted everyone (including her manager), to know about it; and using E-mail & the telephone, she did!...

...interesting question to reflect upon; would Rosanne had moved Ann or myself if I had said I felt uncomfortable around a person who had attempted suicide?...

....7/30/02: Dr. Heidman calls me by name in the break room...we discuss his career in Hollywood, CA...Dr. Handmaker leaves a note with his Census addressed to "Micheal" (I will have to do something about showing the doctor how my first name is spelled!)...7/31/02: the last time, for now, to work with Dr. Handmaker on his Rounds...a supply of updated green cards for specialist arrived; small quantity, only 300...8/5/02: gave some to Pulmonary & Infectious Disease areas...500 more ordered, arrived 8/6/02...

...7/29/02: Rosanne wants Mike & Ann to switch roles; Ann will go on the Rounds (I/P); Mike, in the Clinic (O/P)...this way each will be familiar with other aspects in their jobs, and provide more visability for Mike...it will also prevent a gap in PEDS Coding knowledge if someone leaves...which brings up the question, does she know about Ann's plans to seek & find a better, higher-paying, job?...this will also provide more visability for Mike...7/31/02: Mike will cover the last day for Dr. Handmaker, plus go to the Clinic, and Ann will do the Rounds for the next two weeks, for Dr. Tapia...at least this is the proposed idea...7/31/02: spoke with Dr. Tapia, introduced by Dr. Cordova & helped 2 interns on their coding knowledge; handed them cheat sheets...Methinks Rosanne wants me to feel comfortable working in the Clinic, on the chance that Ann actually does find another job...8/1/02: help people understand EPSDT (Medicaid well child care)...spoke with Dr. Campbell, met Dr. Aguirre...people there smiled and said Ask the Coder! when interns asked more WCC questions...8/2/02: quieter, more doctor shop talk, but Dr. Hoffman talks with me until they discover I'm a coder, then the questions begin...I wonder what will happen if they like me being in the Clinic...but, it is still scary when I first walk into the training room...I feel like I don't belong because I am not a doctor...I have changed my approach to this matter...I bring back charts that need to be corrected and converse with the various staff members, including Doris, the manager of the Clinics...I also help Dr. Connors on the leveling of services...my goal is to become quite visible, because (see below)...

...8/2/02: Ann wants separate areas for charts from the Clinic, and those from Hope...that way we will know which should be entered into the audit (only those directly from the Clinic)...Ann suggests making corrections to the billing sheets & not sending them back to the doctors in order to complete as many charges as possible by the end of the month, which will be 8/5/02...

...Ann devotes her time on the job between actually working, accessing the Duke City Raceway web site & the writing of resumes, cover letters or applications in search of the better job with lots more money!...8/2/02: Ann receives a call, and I hear the time "one o'clock"...because I have to be in the Clinic, Ann said she would pick up our paychecks, which are in a different place due to vacations...but they have to be picked up beefore 2:15...when I return from lunch (12:50), no Ann...so I spend my time in the Clinic...I return and find Ann has not been here, and that each employee can only get his or her paycheck unless accompanied by a statement from the co-worker giving permission...so I call to get directions, and pick up the pay stub...I return to our area, no Ann & never Ann when I leave for the day...but, there is also no voice messages or E-mails, and I'm not curious enough to find out what's going on...and no one was in a rush to tell me why Ann left early on Friday...during the morning, someone outside the building called and asked, "How is Ann?"; my honest reply was, "I don't know."...

...and during late July & early August, Geri spent 2 weeks roaming the south, from Dallas to Atlanta to the Atlantic Ocean, then return home to visit Alamogordo & Carlsbad Caverns...she did not like the South; too humid & too expensive...they never did see the ocean, because their relative had to work, so they returned home earlier than planned...Geri would not mind moving to Dallas...

...Ann may have won the battle to wear nurse's outfits in our area, including wearing sneakers every day which is against the UPA dress code rules (Fridays only), but she has placed a wedge between herself and the staff...doctors feel that nurses are a lower level of workers, who clean a variety of messes & bring food to kids (aka the working class)...however, in the end, it is Ann who is leaving...she was able to get rid of the last two trainees during their probationary period...but not this time...in fact (see below)...

...8/5/02: let's see...Ann came in, did the Rounds, got a phone call from her husband...he needed to talk to her...so after slamming down phones & finishing her latest job application, her husband appeared...they left for lunch, then left at 3...this is the same person who said we had lots of work to do before closing the July entries...met Dr. Connors at the Clinic, answered more EPSDT questions...8/6/02: Ann's mother is sick, so I am by myself all day...Rounds, not Clinic (have to have our priorities!) ...

...7/30/02: Rosanne sends an E-mail to July birthday people, asking them to decide on a day to have lunch, the following Tuesday was suggested...8/6/02: no news after that...surprise!; Rosanne calls to remind me, and four of us go to the Ko Palace on Menaul, a Chinese restaurant that does not have a buffet but does have very good meals...I explained why I have to make some of the decisions in my area; the answer: because Ann doesn't want to do anything she does not want to do...so she keeps quiet & hopes that Rosanne will forget about the question...

...8/7/02: Surprise!...Ann comes to work & gives her 2-week notice...she will be working at Presbyterian Hospital in a similar job, but getting paid more...Ann will be using Unit & Relative values, plus R&C amounts, to determine the dollar value for a procedure...Rosanne was not aware of this, and is not pleased at all...she gave Ann a break, and lots of little 'breaks', and this is how Ann pays her back...her last day will be 8/21/02, she will start her new job on 8/26/02, the week her mother will have surgery...Ann is telling everyone about her good news, and slightly encouraging people to work at a better place...note: every time Ann did the Rounds, something prevented her from finishing her time on the floor...8/8/02: Ann begins training Roxanne of Family Practice, who is overwhelmed by the amount of work we have to do...the 3M system was down from 8:30 until 2:00, with no warning...Daily Baby was down the entire day...Roxanne does not show up for more training (she can use the morning staff meeting as an excuse)...8/9/02: our last staff meeting together; Ann asks if her partner is ready...Rosanne let me leave at 3:30...Ann left at 2 PM and never came back...

...8/12/02: Ann has not been indicating on the Census if there were any doctor's notes...she took Roxanne with her while doing the Rounds...on a Monday morning, it only took 1 hour!...after a weekend with many discharges...I don't think so!...Ann had nothing good to say about the doctors, and told Roxanne not to send billings back to the doctors because they never reply!...today was the farewell party for Dr. MacNamara...there is irony in all this...Ann, who had complete control over the PEDS Coding area, is leaving...Mike, who wanted to stay away from being in charge of anything, now is the main contact in this department...I have inherited an area to manage (oh, well!)...explained to Rosanne that it is easier to visit the Clinic several times during the day, in order to get more exposure...she said if it works for me, then do so...8/14/02: Ann out all day; I get the discharges, then take both Geri (to relearn) & Roxanne (to continue learning) on the Rounds...I think Roxanne cannot handle the stress factor or retain all the information needed to code any & all of the 13 various clinics...8/14/02: Roxanne says she cannot handle stress, it gives her headaches...but we do the Rounds with minimal difficulty, and return to the PEDS area...I work on I/P services, Roxanne looks up the ICD codes for dictation...she also looks for the medical ID numbers of the referring doctors...8/15/02: Roxanne does not come in at all; I do the Rounds w/Geri...8/16/02: once again I have Geri & Roxanne following me...8/19/02: I do the Discharges; they do the Census, while I act as an observer...a farewell lunch for Ann at China Wok...China Star or Lam's need not fear, the food was tepid & bland...she came in 2 hours later on 8/19 & 8/20/02 to exhaust her Sick Leave...8/20/02: Roxanne out, Geri & I do Rounds...Dr. Webster does not sign the necessary forms, or include her assessment in the chart...Ann arrives after 11, with a butterfly tattoo on her left ankle, created the night before...she does a little work, but mostly gets forms signed or turn in keys & parking permits...