After hour calls

[pedspnp]

I made the mistake of calling back a parent awhile back and failed too block my number so now she calls my cell phone instead of going through the exchange. She has been asked to please go through the exchange to contact me after hours. Today was Christmas and with all the commotion I did not hear my phone ring and it was 4 hours before I had realized I had a message. I called back and she was mad because her 15 month old had vomited one time after someone gave her soda and she didn't know what to do. I explained again to her that if a call comes in on my cell it will not remind me that I have a missed call, however off it is the exchange that it will give me a annoying beep until I check the message. So now I have a angry parent who feels she doesn't have to go through the exchange, and me feeling frustrated because she refuses to call the exchange. Thank god it wasn't urgent

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I would consider changing my number. It sounds like she'll never stop unless you are extremely aggressive about it. You know how the moms can get. Unless she's planning on moving she'll keep calling you. What happens next time you don't answer and there's a real emergency?

You could also get your number blocked...or talk to your team about it to brainstorm for solutions.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[mammac5]

Talk to your cell phone carrier. There is a way to block HER number from calling your cell (she'll get a message along the lines that your number is not able to receive calls from her number) but I'm not sure how to do it. Your carrier can instruct you.

[AtomicWoman]

Wow, that parent has boundary issues. Talk about feeling entitled. I guess all you can do is block her calls. Or dismiss her and her child from the practice. I guess it would depend on who makes those types of decisions in your practice.

[SycamoreGuy]

The easiest thing to do is go to your provider and tell them you are getting harassing calls and would like to change your number. Most providers won't question any further if you tell them that.

[pedspnp]

Thanks all for your suggestions, she called again Monday during office hours while I was still on vacation. i let it go to vm,she wanted to know what to do for a diaper rash. I called the office to have the nurse call her back, my nurse informed me that she had spoken with her that morning regarding the same thing. Evidently the mom wanted to run it by me what the nurse had instructed her to. Sorry my nurses have a P&P Manuel that outlines what they can do in my absence. I had the office call mom and explain clearly that all calls need to go through the office or exchange due to liability reasons. She has been bold enough to call my cell during office hours , while I was in the office. So now her number is blocked. If it was a true emergency and for some reason I didn't get her personal call I hate too think what could happen. Believe me my after hour page alert is the most annoying sound and when it goes off I retrieve the message pronto.