Gundersen Lutheran

I went to the ER at Gundersen Lutheran on a Sunday afternoon. My 4 year old took a hard fall on concrete, and started crying that his «brain hurt» shortly after his fall, he was complaining that «his eyes were fuzzy,» and then he started feeling sick to his stomach. These are all symptoms of a concussion. My husband and I thought it best to go home (Minnesota) to get treatment. However, after a few short minutes in the car my son was crying that his «brain hurt», and how dizzy he was. My husband and I rushed to Gundersen Lutheran Emergency Room.
I was explaining to the doctor Andrew Weiss (specialty emergency medicine) that I wanted to test our son for a concussion. As I work for a company that performs vision therapy on multiple patients that have had concussions, or traumatic brain injuries therefore I see the first hand long lasting effects it can create. Andrew Weiss, MD told me and I quote, «concussions, and TBI’s are being over diagnosed and blown out of proportion these days.» I told him I would disagree with that strong statement, regardless I would like to test my son for a concussion. Andrew Weiss, MD then asked what symptoms my son was having, after explain them for a third time, his response was, «Well, how do you know he is nauseous 4 year olds, do not walk around saying I am nauseous.» I explained correct, he is not using the word nauseous, it is the grammatically correct word to use, he is saying he is going to puke. Then Andrew Weiss, MD started checking my son’s head. Stating he was checking for lacerations. I explained previously that what my son experienced looked like more of a whip lash, his head did not take a direct hit. The doctor Andrew Weiss then explained there was nothing he could do to help me, «In these situations the neurological department recommends rest.» He refused to do a CT scan, or help us in anyway. Before, I left the exam room, I asked, «Let me understand this you have a 4 year old who took a really hard fall, who is now telling you his brain hurts, his vision is blurry, and he feels sick. His mother is requesting a concussion test, or a ct scan, and you are turning us away, telling us there is nothing further you can do other than check his head for lacerations.» Dr Weiss response was, «I don’t know what you want me to do?» I then left, I was on repeat what I wanted, and he completely refused care. I never received any discharge papers or anything.
Once home, and at a specialist, the doctor was performing a visual evoked potential, while patching each eye individually. My son started to pass out, and parts of his brain were not responding as they should. He was sent to the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota for an emergency overnight stay. At Children’s a team of doctors, and nurses performed neurological checks on him every 45 minutes to monitor his swelling in the brain, and to assess if there was any permanent brain damage and to ensure there was no bleeding in the brain. One week later my son is still not the same, not attending preschool, and undergoing treatment to bring him back to his normal, happy, outgoing self. However, I have complete confidence in the care he is now undergoing.
I then of course googled Gundersen Lutheran and concussion testing, this is what I found:
I also called to find out what Gundersen’s protocol is for concussion symptoms. Turns out a ct scan was one of the many protocols, and for any child a mandatory overnight stay. Hmm, then why was I turned away?
Upon making a formal complaint, I was told that my complaint would be reviewed, and I would receive a letter letting me know what and if any follow up would be taken. A nice way of telling me to go away. Great, refuse treatment to a 4 year old who was clearly in the need of medical attention, and tell me to go away. But no need to worry folks by Tuesday I had already received an electronic EOB from my insurance company. Gundersen refused treatment, but was quick to bill my insurance. It SCARES me as it should any parent that this brash statement was made by Andrew Weiss an emergency room specialist who is practicing in a town that has a college football/​hockey team.