Washington Gastroenterology: Bellevue

I visited this gastroenterology clinic a while back, and I found that their process was well-organized. The initial intake was smooth, and the visit itself was orchestrated efficiently, which I did appreciate. That said, by the end, it felt a bit impersonal. They performed an invasive procedure I was on the fence about needing, and I left feeling like my actual issues weren't really addressed. It seemed like I was just another case rather than a patient whose concerns were fully considered. To add to that, I later received a letter informing me that my personal data had been leaked, which was quite disappointing. I really expected better security measures to protect patient information. In short, while the clinic runs a tight ship in terms of process, I would have appreciated a more personal approach to my care and stronger safeguards for my data.

Dr. Ausk was very nice and helpful. This review is about the office staff only. I booked a lab appointment a week in advance following the doctor's orders. On the appointment day, I went in, checked in, got my appointment confirmed, had my ID and insurance card scanned, and was told to wait for my name to be called. After 30 minutes, nothing happened while I watched everyone who came in after me get seen. I asked the front desk people and was told to wait more. Ten minutes later, I was informed that they actually couldn't do the lab and my appointment was canceled. What a scam. Be aware of the incompetence.

I am angry with Washington Gastroenterology. Last summer I needed to have a large polyp surgically removed at Good Sam in Puyallup. My doctor alerted me that it could be necessary to remove the polyp in two stages, half that summer, half now six months later. And in fact, that is what happened. But now Washington Gastroenterology has reneged on its commitment to complete the procedure. Because, I believe, of an insurance issue, (I was referred to Washington GI by Kaiser. Not-So-Good Sam now won't honor the previous arrangement.), WAGI has told me that they cannot complete the procedure and have instructed me that II must contact my primary care provider and gain a new referral to a different provider. In the meantime, the half-excised polyp sits in my gut, presumably growing. Through all of this, WAGI has been completely unhelpful. I called several times to arrange for the final removal of my polyp. I never heard anything back. On one last call they finally told me Good Samaritan is "no longer doing this procedure" and that I was now on my own. I feel that my doctor and WAGI have an obligation to complete my procedure along the terms and conditions outlined to me last summer. Anything less would be completely unethical.

Arrived early for my appointment, waited for over an hour only to find out that the receptionist forgot to scan me into the system. Rather than trying to fit me in to see someone after waiting 75 minutes, they cancelled my appointment and rescheduled me for an appointment that was over a month later. Amazing incompetence and indifference to wasting my time. Will not be returning to this clinic.

Hey person with GI probs. Don't do it. Avoid this business at all costs. If I could give 0 stars I would. After having to wait 3 months for an appt with an urgent referral due to serious GI Issues, they cancelled my apt without notice. I showed up 3 months after scheduling only to be told my appt had been canceled. The receptionist says they left a voicemail but my phone records show that is not true. No offers to reschedule, no explanations, just a cancellation and I was treated like it was my fault for not getting the voicemail that - as records show - was never left. It's not just an inconvenience, it's a patient safety issue. The previous times I came to them for help, I was seen by Dr Edwin Lai. As a person with autoimmune issues, I've met lots of doctors. Dr Lai takes the cake for worst doctors ever. Not only was he 0 help in finding out what was causing my GI problems, to his staff painfully pinching my ears to wake me up after procedures because "i wasn't waking up fast enough". So even when you can get in to a doc, it's a horrible experience. Avoid this business at all costs. It's not worth the risk.