Swedish Primary Care - Bellevue

Mar 2024

I went into Swedish Bellevue Primary Care today because it was on the list of the places that my doctor had recommended for me to get my blood drawn. It was a bit confusing to me when I arrived at the elevator on the P (Parking) Level to see only medical offices in the C building listed on the sign by the elevator, when I needed to go to the B building. However, I took the elevator up to the C level hoping that I would be able to find the B building from the C building (I didn't know at first if they were different buildings or different floors actually, but they are different buildings), and it was quite straightforward from there. I walked down the long hall of the C building after exiting the elevator, walked out the door to the outside at the end of the hallway, and spotted the B building right across from me. The receptionist was very nice, and she directed me to the Lab. The first Lab guy seemed worried when he first took a look at my veins. My veins are hard to find. Just like the first phlebotomist at Swedish Redmond almost 2 weeks ago, he called a colleague over to take a look at my veins to see if she might be able to find a good vein to do a blood draw. His colleague was the fourth phlebotomist to take a look at my veins in the last 2 weeks! My wonderful yelp-friend Joy had suggested to me to request a butterfly needle after my previous experience with an unsuccessful blood draw, so I did request that (thanks, Joy!) and thankfully they had a butterfly needle there at the lab today, and they agreed to use that type of needle for my blood draw. Brooke asked me to clench and unclench my fists, and she applied the hot compress to my arm, just like the phlebotomists did almost 2 weeks ago. Brooke was very sweet and kind. I told her about my experience almost 2 weeks ago, and she said that she was sorry that I had a bad experience. She asked me, "Did he (the phlebotomist almost 2 weeks ago) at least apologize?" I said yes, he did apologize, and that I had accepted his apology. I explained to Brooke that I can't stand to see blood, and she was very compassionate about this in her tone and demeanor. She told me to look away at the right time so that I didn't see any blood during my blood draw, and she got a successful blood draw from me on her first try! Yay Brooke! When Brooke asked me to confirm that my name on the vial of blood was correct, she thoughtfully covered both ends of the vial with her hands so that I did not even have to see the blood inside the vial. I was impressed. I thought that she was really going above and beyond to be considerate to me. I told her that I have several friends and family members in the medical profession (two of my closest friends in college and one of my closest friends in high school are doctors now, my Brother is a Flight Nurse on a helicopter, and there are several others), but that I never could have gone into the medical profession myself. (I formerly worked as a Legal Assistant at a Class Action Law Firm which handled both national and international civil rights, human rights, and environmental protection cases. The legal field was much more suited for me.) I am so relieved and so thankful that I finally got a successful blood draw today, so that my doctor can get the results of the tests that he wanted to do. I would not hesitate to return to Swedish Bellevue Primary Care for any of my future medical needs. I am very happy with my experience there today.

Mar 2024

I see the doctor three times in total for sleep problems(sometimes cannot fall asleep quickly), On every visit the doctor charged me 200-400 dollars and just talked for a few minutes, and prescribed me the same medication. Because every time we just talk for a few minutes and she prescribes me the same medication, I feel this is like a scam. I asked her for a longer period of prescription but she declined. Now I know they just want to make money they don't care about patients' health. The more visits you go to there the more money they can earn.

Dec 2023

Was told to stand in the hallway because the front desk suspects I have COVID. Well here's the hallway. It's outside the actual clinic. No chairs whatsoever. Great hospitality for someone that could have a cold instead of COVID. Regardless, I don't feel well at all so please put out some chairs at least!!!