Dr. Aparna Methuku, MD

The ER Physician coded my chart with the diagnosis code V58.69, which means "long-term use medications necessary." This coding alerts physicians to be aware of the need for additional blood work for patients who regularly take medications such as thyroid, cholesterol, triglyceride, and others that cause blood levels to fluctuate. Unfortunately, this same diagnosis code is also used to alert physicians of drug-dependent, and drug-abusive patients. Herein lies the problem I have with Dr. Methuku. I belong to the former group of V58.69s and not the latter. As an in-patient, from our first interaction until our last on the day I was discharged, Dr. Methuku treated me as if I was a drug-seeking drug-abuser. She never once asked me for my medical history or current medications. If she had, she would have known that her assumptions were inaccurate. She was incredibly rude, unprofessional, and represented Memorial Hermann Hospital the Woodlands poorly. No one deserves to be treated… disrespectfully.