Desert Orthopaedic Center

Every time I have come (4 – 5 times) I’ve spent over an hour in the waiting room and a total of three hours for the entire appointment. I have been hung up on when calling, spoken rude to (Michelle), pawned off on Physician Assistants when I was scheduled to see the doctor and not given my full diagnosis (my physical therapist asked about my sprained toe when I was told they didn’t know why my toe hurt). I feel like Doctor Watson is skilled, but lacks bedside manner and doesn’t listen to my concerns. I have been dealing with this issue for 2 ½ months and still feel like I’m not being taken seriously.

Simply the Best!
Check it out… my appointment was at 1:15pm, and I arrived at 1:05pm…the office was packed, I was surely thinking it would be awhile! AH, No! Less than 30mins in the waiting area I was called in, whisked into some xray shorts and sent to xrays (all of which took less than 10mins to complete. Back in the exam room, BOOM!!! Knock Knock…(I wasn’t even in there for 5mins) and my ‘Most Excellent” surgeon comes in, Dr Parminder Kang!
First and foremost, I have been coming to this facility since the 1990’s when I was first diagnosed with the onset of osteoarthritis in both my hips. Yup, that long ago. And, I have always been welcomed and greeted warmly. Yes, sometimes the wait can be a bit long, but hey, that’s why there are books, smart phones and tablets to keep us busy while we wait. Wait? Yes, I will wait for the best, wouldn’t you?
The staff, the nurses and yes Dr Parminder Kang are «Simply the Best»
I couldn’t have asked for more in a surgeon. I love his expert hands… hands of a gifted soul. He gave me two new hips over a year ago, and now my quality of life has a new meaning.
Forever and ever my gratitude is insurmountable. Thank you.
I wish everyday was a day at Desert Ortho! Happy day happy day. People are happy there!
I hope when you read, you will take a look at their facility and doctors. Feel free to contact me, if you would like any other information.
Sincerely…me

Two weeks ago I called the office to ask if they would see me for my issue relating to middle finger nail splitting down the middle. When I called up the office, they said they did not know if Dr. Lee would be able to assist. I offered to send a picture of my finger for him to make a judgment call, and was informed that they don’t receive emails. I let them do their research and received a phone call the following week that they would see me.
When I received the call, I was asked to fill out patient forms online beforehand or come in early. I received a generic email after the phone call stating I made an appointment but no information on filling out the forms. I assumed their be another email, but that wasn’t the case. So I figured it would just happen in office.
Fast Forward to yesterday, I received 2 calls within 30 minutes of each other where I was reminded about my paperwork and told that I must fill out the forms or come in early. The 2^nd woman actually seemed to argue about it. She told me they were previously sent to my email and I should check my spam box. So after I got home from work, I checked my email to find that same generic email with thanking me for becoming a patient. I did not see any special email that gave clear directions on the forms necessary, but due to my tech savviness of being from the age of internet, I was able to find relevant forms under my name in the patient portal. This required me to look up my patient ID in their system and have it emailed back to me. I filled out the forms, and got excited about today’s appointment.
Today, I arrive on time for my 8:35am appointment and I’m asked to fill out more paperwork by their staff. Also, I am asked 2 more times by front desk staff if I filled out the forms online. Couldn’t they be a little less disorganized? I fill out the paperwork, and try to hand it to the staff at the front desk. It takes a few minutes before another nurse from the backroom comes out and takes it from me and places it on the poorly attended front desk. The nurse was nice and could tell I was irritated, I suppose she is always going the extra mile to keep customers at bay by doing stuff outside of her job responsibilities.
After that mess was over, I began the process of waiting. I waited almost an hour, watching other patients who arrived later get seen earlier. It’s understandable to wait, but I was one of the 1^st appointments this morning. Finally, a nurse came out and brought me to my doctor’s very humble consult room. She talked to me a bit about my issue and reassured me the doctor would assist. She took my blood pressure and asked a couple of questions about height and weight. She then says they will do an X Ray of my unbroken hand for medical record, she says it in a manner that doesn’t seem optional. I tell her I am uncomfortable with doing one because I haven’t even seen the doctor yet. She complies, but I can easily see people falling for this all the time. She says we can make the call after I see the doctor.
After an hour and a half of waiting in total (waiting area + consult room) my doctor enters and pleasantly greets me. We shake hands and he asks me the same questions I’ve already answered in forms and to staff. It gets old giving the same spiel to everyone. I don’t want to bash the doctor, because he was nice. But nice isn’t really good enough. He tells me straight up that he hasn’t quite seen my case before, which is cool. He then goes into a little list of the possibilities. So he tells me it (worst case scenario) could be a tumor under the nail and we should do an MRI and XRAY and maybe even a biopsy. Or he said I could go to this other guy and just get a biopsy for a better price. In a nut shell, he said «stay with me and spend a crap load of time and money» or be smart «and go to so and so.» I think the first choice is was stated just so I would have to pay, because I cannot think of one person who would do all of that for a split nail with no additional symptoms. The doctor said he would, but of course he has the motive to see me again for those extra expensive treatments.
After less than 10 minutes with the doctor Googling the other doctor’s # and going over what if scenarios, I proceed to checkout. That’s fine and dandy, they couldn’t help me on a reasonable time and money budget. I get to the front desk, and I was expecting to pay nothing or at most $ 50. When I am told that my co-​pay (⁸⁰⁄₂₀) would be $ 120. My jaw dropped and I exclaimed «what!» I then proceed to tell that I came here on the false pretense he’d be able to provide a service. After a while of bickering and more waiting, I paid $ 100. I am kind of exhausted writing this review and even just thinking about it. They don’t really handle customer disputes and the staff is moderately desensitized because they probably deal with this all the time. Some staff are nice, some staff don’t care, but they definitely don’t mind wasting your time and money.

I do not recommend Dr. Raissi at Desert Orthopaedic for surgery as I am now permanently disabled with nerve damage following surgery he performed at this Desert Inn location, 1 year ago yesterday.
His assistants LJ and Aleya are terrific!
In addition to the surgery aspect, if you are a patient with a workers comp claim, then you may consider accepting the fact that he chooses to side with the insurance company that feeds him business, and not you; the patient who hired him. Unfortunately, this was a typical monthly experience I endured.
Unilocal 250 CHALLENGE 2015: #237

DR. THOMAS DUNN
I have seen this doctor a total of 3x & he is super nice & so approachable… he gives his opinions in the sense if you were his family member then that is what he would advise you to do which is always comforting… I didn’t feel rushed at all & he sat there & explained everything & the results of everything along w/​his opinions w/​me so that I may understand what is going on.
Trish is SUPER sweet lady that takes all your info at the beginning when you get in the room. LOVE her NY accent just love it I wanna copy it as I talk to her hahaha
The waiting area is big… the staff in the front are definitely not as friendly as in the back… HONESTLY they just seem super grogy… but maybe it may be because they are dealing w/​so many people who are in pain… but hey… that’s what you siged up for… so might as well be nice as you do your job… you are getting paid for it… IMHO
OVERALL. A doctor visit here does take about an hour to hour & half… but I have come to realize the medical here in Vegas compared to my experiences in Cali… they have a LOT more room to improve…

What a difference one person can make the lovely patient service check in person with a great attitude and smile. .she was patient with my husbsnd while obtaining his info and very professional… i have to slightly change my stance i will do a final review after seeing the dr. well li and behold appt cancelled dr not there yep they tried to call us but they had the wrong number no appt no dr waste of time ugh!!! The medical asst needs a refresher in customer service skills

This place is a joke, they don’t care about their patients. They will make you wait an hour or more and not say anything. This place is as organize as a preschool class on free time. If you have an option to go else where, I recommend you do. Don’t waste your time here as I did.

Well let me just say that my shoulder surgery was two whole years ago and aside from a little stiffness from time to time I am just fine. I could not even lift my arm, put a seatbelt or a jacket on. Very painful this rotator cuff stuff. I know of others that have had same surgery but with other doctors with not so good results. I can only say they should have seen Dr. Maio. He is the best, and his assistant is wonderful as well.
I recommend him highly.

I would stay away from these guts of you can. I was sent here for a work place injury, my leg started swelling after about two weeks and felt like it was going to tear open. I called and they said don’t worry, that it was normal. I the to the er the same day to find a blood clot in my leg and an infection in my foot. Last time I checked that is not normal.

Dr. Fontes, MD, Paul Morgan, PA and Kricket, MA are all fabulous professionals. Every visit was pleasant, professional, and prompt. My left total knee arthroplasty is PERFECT!!. Thank You, one and all. Trudy Reber

I have never been to a Doctors office where you don’t get to see the doctor. The doctors assistant gave me a prescription for a controlled substance with the doctors signature on it. The next visit was when I learned that young man I saw the first time wasn’t the doctor at all. I asked the doctor why he gave me the prescription the first visit, and he said «I would have never prescribed that for you.» Is this legal???

Do not go here! I came in for an ingrown toenail and walked out 10 minutes later. They wanted to do x-​Rays because it was «standard practice of an orthopedic office». I was like hell no am I going to pay for x-​Rays for an ingrown toenail that I’ve had removed before. I’d rather go back home to Ohio and pay out of pocket for it, than to have useless tests done. I wasn’t even seen by a doctor today before doing x-​Rays… Would have been a waste of my money and my time. What an awful place to trust your health in.

I had injured my knee. I was seen at an extremely nice urgent care and was sent to Dr. Baldauf. I called and reached a polite lady who helped me schedule an appointment. I arrived 20 mins early to the office. My appointment time was 3pm. I was roomed at 320. I was seen an hour later. Dr. Baldauf was extremely rude. Basically insulted the PA that saw me at urgent care and made disparaging remarks about urgent cares. I asked him if he would like to see my knee? He pushed and poked a couple places (through my sweat pants) and said I have tendonitis. I needed to quit limping. (I don’t limp usually) Gave me some stretches to do, and a daily anti inflammatory. I ALREADY take a daily dose and it helps the problem it was prescribed for but nothing for the knee I can’t bend without pain! I go to leave and was charged $ 251!!! And that’s only 75% of the visit. Really??? For what? I’m putting in a complaint to my insurance company and the medical board! NEVER again will I go to that useless piece of work that took an oath to help people. I DO NOT reccomend this group.

Had a 1:30 Appointment today (5÷21÷14) with Dr. Baldauf. Received a call around 10 that the doctor was in surgery and we could either see his Physicians Assistant or reschedule. We opted to see the PA. Got to the office in plenty of time, and was shown into an exm room at 1:40. The nurse or whoever the female was that showed us to the room, asked the usual questions and her last question was, «And you are okay to see the PA?» We said yes and as she left she said she will be right in. At 3:20, Dr. Baldauf came into the room. My mother, who is the patient let him have it for her waiting so long. He was apologetic in his arrogant way stating well I am in scrubs! He wasn’t interested in listening to what I had to say. So it was decided that my mother would get an injection, which is what we had the appointment for in the first place. He said his PA would be in to do the injection. 10 minutes later she arrives and apologies again for the delays. When I told her we had agreed to see the PA instead of the doctor, she said she was with the doctor in surgery. Well maybe this story works for spouses or whoever you are lying too but soneone really did lie here. I would not take another family member to this group of doctors if they were the only ones left in town! Medicare will also here about the kind of service this office offers. My mother is 91 and it was very uncomfortable for her to sit on that table for that long. Think it might border on ELDER ABUSE!

I show up 15 minutes late and the clerk refuses for me to sign in. Really!!! You can let me sit and wait for Hoya, but I must not be late. Poor customer service! When you check out it takes forever and there is nowhere to sit! Really… I have stitches in my foot but have nowhere to sit! Usually the clerk complains to every patient she was supposed to leave at 4:30, while blankly staring at her screen and not helping people. The surgical side is really nice, but different staff. I wish they sent out their customer satisfaction survey for the other office visits!

My son had knee surgery here and I really love how caring and compassionate the nurses are here. They took great care of my son after he came out of his surgery and made sure we knew how to treat and take care of our son post-​op. Also, the next day they called to check on my boy and ask if I had any concerns or questions. Professionals all the way.

Dr. Watson’s group took great care of me and was there throughout the whole process. Great job. Thank you.

Dr Raissi is the best. He took care of my achilles tear and was fantastic. I also recommend Dr Miao for anything above the knee. Both are great Dr’s and are very nice.