Everett Bone & Joint Surgery Center

My son was in an accident in his sport event and we were referred to Dr. Howard Barker for his after care after the emergency room visit. I did not know what to expect since this was my son’s first injury. When I called in the morning as a stressed mother, the staff at EST were very understanding and helpful. They worked with me to get us in Dr. Barker’s busy schedule with a last minute notice, so he could exam my son’s injury. Dr. Barker came in and was very professional and was extremely sensitive to my 13-​year-​old son and understood the trauma he just went through with his injury and the painful experience at ER. Dr. Barker calm my son with his light and quick sense of humor and was very knowledgeable and explained to us in detail what was going on with his wound and the the type of procedures might take place. He was very patient with me and my son and answered all of our questions. My son and I felt very comfortable with Dr. Barker and trusted his judgement. I also did some research online and with people I know who had been in his care and in his profession and they all spoke highly of him. So we decided to go ahead with the surgery.
The surgery went very well. I am extremely happy with Dr. Barker’s professonalism. All of his staff at the surgery center were wonderful. They took great care of my son before, during and after the surgery. This was my son’s very first injury and he was nervous prior to the surgery. Dr. Barker and his staff have made the effort to make him be very comfortable. They understand how to treat the patient right, regardless he is an adult or a 13 year old teenage. They had make this unfortunate procedure into a great experience for my son and for me. I am so thankful to have met Dr. Barker and came to this clinic to have Dr. Barker to perform the surgery on my son. I could not ask for better care. BTW, I am usually very anal and hard on finding the right care and this is. I would refer Dr. Barker to anyone I know or I meet.

Maybe years ago the techniques in surgery were good. This year 2013 and the methods are so very out dated a blessing I left Dr. Barker and had surgery in seattle 601 broadway 7^th floor 206−386−2600. 4x waited more than 45min. The doctor cared more about insurance and I the patient was neglected, being told instead of a conversation. Communication with me 1^st as client/​patient did not occur. Big mistake in everett.

I thought about waiting to write this review until I cool down a bit, but then I decided they really don’t deserve any sugar-​coating…
This place, and Dr. Pryor, came highly recommended by a friend. (Whose friendship is currently being reconsidered) When I called to make my first appointment I told the receptionist that, and I swear she sounded surprised.
Clearly, I am completely disappointed with my experience here! They suck at keeping in touch and setting up appointments. Every call I’ve gotten from them was initiated by multiple phone calls from me. And I’m not that demanding. I just like to be informed in a timely manner of how my case is progressing. I almost felt like as soon as the Dr realized I didn’t need surgery, that they lost interest in me. But even then, some kind of follow-​up and a referral to somewhere else would have been the thing to do.
Right away, before answering any questions or even giving me a once-​over, they took Xrays. Nothing alarming there so the Dr. recommended an MRI. I agreed because I’m at my wits end with the pain and want some answers. The MRI took almost two weeks just to get scheduled. I understand it’s not a quick process but I thought two weeks was a bit much. So I get the MRI done (at their affiliated EBJ MRI center– which was great) and then I wait. And wait. And wait. A week and a half later, I call. I’m told I need an appt to go over the results. Great! Then why hasn’t anyone called to set that up for me?! I mean, the place is crawling with receptionists, operators, and nurses, is that not their job? I’m really thinking if I hadn’t called them, I never would’ve heard anything at all.
Oh! Also, I requested that any info they found from their diagnostics be passed along to my chiropractor. I even gave them a little card with her fax number to make it easy. There was no mention that this wasn’t possible. I had to get the run around to eventually talk to the records dept and find out that they only send records when requested BY FAX from your primary care doctor! Why didn’t they just tell me that in the first place?! This is a perfect example of the weirdness and lack of accountability that seems to be happening at EBJ. So I followed their ridiculous system for records requesting and guess what! They STILL, after two weeks from receiving a faxed request, haven’t sent the stuff to my doctor.
In the middle of all this bs, I played a fun little game of phone tag with Dr. Pryor, after it was decided that he had no time in the next few weeks to see me in person. Every time I called him back I was told that he was busy with patients and would have to call me back. And on it went, because I guess I’m technically not a patient of his (?!) Then the last time I tried to get in touch with him, I was told he’s on vacation. And THAT was the exact moment I decided to take my healthcare elsewhere. I just can’t deal with this madness any more.
So there you have it. I wish I had never set foot in their door.

My wife had a knee scope here and has done great. The nurses are top notch and give individual attention. A great place to have surgery. We’ve been to the hospital (providence) before for other surgeries and have not been impressed. It also turned out to be about %40 cheaper here than at the hospital. Thanks EB&J!